DON’T EXPECT SPEZZA’S RETURN TO SENATORS
Veteran riding bench in Toronto, but focus in Ottawa is getting young players ice time
There’s been no shortage of speculation about centre Jason Spezza returning to the Senators with his current employer, the Toronto Maple Leafs, caught in a cap crunch.
Don’t go out and buy a Spezza jersey, because it’s unlikely to happen.
The Senators studied the option of bringing back the 35-year-old centre as an unrestricted free agent in the off-season but opted not to go that route and Spezza signed a one-year, US$700,000 deal with the Leafs on July 1. While Spezza could be on the outs in Toronto, it’s doubtful the Senators would pick him up if he’s put on waivers by the Leafs or traded.
While there’s no question Spezza would be a good mentor in the dressing room, the reality is the Senators want their young players in the lineup. The expectation is injured centres Colin White and Logan Brown are both going to be back soon, which means if Spezza was brought here, he’d be taking up a valuable roster spot.
That doesn’t rule out Spezza returning to Ottawa someday. The Senators would certainly consider the possibility of bringing him back here in a front office role when his playing career is over. He has a great eye for the game, knows talent and could be a good fit in the hockey operations department.
BACK IN THE STANDS
Bobby Ryan was scratched for the third time in the last five games after suiting up for backto-back contests against the New York Rangers and New York Islanders.
While the Senators brought up winger Jonathan Davidsson from Belleville to make his debut,
Ryan sat in the stands with little-used veteran Mikkel Boedker. This will likely become a regular occurrence for the 32-year-old because Senators coach D.J. Smith likes the game played at a high pace and that’s not really Ryan’s game.
The key for the club’s highest-paid player (US$7.25 million per year) to get back on a regular basis: Work hard in practice and take advantage of his opportunities when he does play.
“It’s unfortunate for him,” Smith said. “I thought he was OK (against) the Rangers but in the back-to-back our fourth line wasn’t very good. It wasn’t on him, just the line in general wasn’t very good. At this point, he’s going to have to get some traction.
“You can never say anyone’s in or out every night, but he’s going to have to get some traction. In his defence, he’s worked hard and he’s done all the things he has to but I don’t think he’s back to his game yet. It’s a hard question to answer. I’d like him to be in every night to provide offence for us, but I don’t think we’re there yet.”
So, how does Ryan get traction? Improve at both ends of the ice.
“He’s going to have to play, skate, finish checks, track and do all the things that everyone is doing,” Smith added. “The message has been here: Everyone has to work, everyone has to track and everyone has to play defence and do all these things.
“We’re trying to get a little bit faster so he just has to keep pushing every day. If he gets in and gets going on the power play
I think he can get some traction there.”
DAVIDSSON MAKES HIS NHL DEBUT
The 22-year-old Davidsson, who was acquired as part of the deal that sent Matt Duchene to the Columbus Blue Jackets at last year’s deadline, suited up for his first NHL game. He got the news from Belleville coach Troy Mann Wednesday after practice and was thrilled.
“We hugged a little bit and we were both very happy. It’s very good,” Davidsson said.
He scored the first goal of his AHL career this weekend and had three points in eight games with Belleville.
“I had a good weekend,” Davidsson said. “I was just happy. I just wanted to go to work. I was happy and I was surprised. It was so exciting. I was so happy.”
The call came too late for his family to get here from Sweden, but his girlfriend was with him.
His family was watching on television overseas.
“It’s a huge moment for me and for my family,” Davidsson said.
WHITE ON A CONDITIONING STINT
The Senators made another roster move by sending White to Belleville on a conditioning stint as he readies his return to the Senators lineup from a hip flexor/groin ailment.
White missed his seventh straight game Thursday, but will suit up for the B-Sens on Friday against the Crunch in Syracuse and, if all goes well, he could play Saturday against the Hartford Wolf Pack as well.
You have to think he won’t be there long and it’s possible he could join the Senators on Sunday for their road trip to North Carolina and New Jersey.
“I’d like him back as soon as possible but I think he has to play a couple of games,” Smith said. “For a young guy, with no practices available other than a 12-minute skate this morning and a short practice (Friday), I don’t think it’s fair to put him in a situation and expect him to succeed when he hasn’t played in three weeks.
“If it’s one game or two games, he’ll be back shortly.”
As for Brown, he has resumed skating. Winger Scott Sabourin, who suffered a concussion and has other issues after a devastating collision with David Backes last Saturday in Boston, is on the road to recovery. He’s been around the dressing room and is doing well.
“He’s doing a lot better,” Smith said. “It’s more the cuts to his nose (and near his eye) that are sore more than anything. There’s not really a ton of symptoms outside of that, but we’ll be really cautious with him to make sure when he comes back he’ll be 100 per cent.”