Wow, I think Spezza will eventually get a gig as a GM somewhere, but it seems a bit early yet.
My thoughts exactly. Though it wouldn't be bad to get him in the organization before he goes elsewhere. The Sens are largely built going forward, so the job of the next GM will be slightly different than most new GM gigs. Typically, you're coming in to fix a mess on the ice or needing changes of some kind.
In Ottawa, the core is there on the ice. The next GM has to manage the maturing of this team into true perennial contender. While there will always need to be changes to the on ice product as the team evolves, the major changes for the organization are taking place in management. Those changes have already begun by adding good people into gaps that exist in Ottawa compared to pretty much every other team in the league and investing to provided more resources to the team.
I think Spezza is likely a smart hockey guy. I think the occasional goofy giggle, might make some underestimate his smarts. And love them or hate them, Spezza has been gaining experience with one of the biggest organizations in the league and now still in Pittsburgh. Perhaps, with great support around him, which it seems Andlauer and Staios are committed to doing, Spezza could take on a role like this now.
But yeah, ideally Spezza would be better prepared in a couple years from now.