I suspect he resigned with Dallas in November 2014 for financial security.He may join the coaching staff as early as next season.
Wonder why he didn’t come here when he had the earlier chance but went to Dallas.
He had just been traded to Dallas thar summer. He got a $30-million extension with the Stars. If he turned that down, he would have borne the risk of a career-limiting or career-ending injury before reaching free agency in July 2015.
At that point, he had probably earned about $55-million of the $88-million he would eventually earn -- before escrow and agency fees. Even though that is plenty for life, re-upping and mitigating risk is a very responsible thing for a family-oriented husband and father to do.
Maybe the sad state of the Leafs at that time was also a consideration, but we'll never know.
Enough to say he was looking after the Spezza family at that time.
I would do the same thing, too.