Senators' Spezza 'understands you could be here today, gone tomorrow' says owner Melnyk
On the coattails of a disappointing season in Ottawa, Senators owner Eugene Melkynk intimated Tuesday that captain Jason Spezza may be playing elsewhere next season.
"Jason understands what his role was and is. He's a professional. He understands you could be here today, gone tomorrow," Melnyk said, according to Bruce Garrioch.
Spezza, 30, is not immune to speculation that he may be dealt over the summer. "I'm not naive to the talk. I've been asked the question lots," Spezza told the Ottawa Sun. "There's a lot of reflecting to go on here during the months leading up to next season and I'm sure that will be a topic."
According to Garrioch, the asking price for Spezza would be a first-round draft pick, a player who can help right now and a top prospect. The Senators traded this year's top pick to Anaheim in the Bobby Ryan deal.
Spezza, who has one year left on his contract with a $7-million cap hit, does have a no trade clause, meaning he would have a hand in choosing his destination.
In 75 games, Spezza scored 23 goals and added 43 assists while remaining relatively healthy.