Thursday, November 8, 2007

Senators sign Jason Spezza to new 7-year contract

Nearly a month after taking care of Dany Heatley with a six-year, $45 million contract extension, the Ottawa Senators locked up another of their top superstar forwards in getting Jason Spezza signed to a seven-year, $49 million contract extension on November 2nd.

It was quite important for the Senators to get both Heatley and Spezza under long-term deals in order to build the team around them and captain Daniel Alfredsson. Mission accomplished.

"Jason Spezza is a great example of what the future holds for the Ottawa Senators and our fans," Senators owner Eugene Melnyk told the media. "Without question, Jason belongs here in Ottawa and he continues to be an integral part of our organization's long-term plans. Over time, we have built an impressive level of on-ice talent, and Bryan Murray and our entire management team have clearly continued that effort with today's re-signing."

There is no doubt that the 24-year-old Spezza should be paid what he's been worth. As a integral part of Ottawa's recent success, the 2001 second overall draft pick has put up impressive numbers so far in his career. It may not be earth-shattering, but 90 points during the 2005-2006 season is not too shabby, I must say. I still remember like it was yesterday that Spezza kept going back and forth between Ottawa and their primary minor league affiliate in the Binghamton Senators before finally settling into the NHL for good.

With Spezza, Heatley and Alfredsson on the Ottawa roster for the considerable future, they will be a force to be reckoned with. Will highly productive players such as these three help get the Senators back to the Stanley Cup Finals next spring? Only time will tell, but opponents will really have their hands full trying to stop them.

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