STAR STRUCK
Spezza’s role has taken a hit with Dallas under coach Hitchcock
DALLAS — If you listen to Dallas Stars coach Ken Hitchcock talk about centre Jason Spezza, you’d think his NHL career is winding down.
Or maybe he’s just on borrowed time in a Dallas uniform.
The 34-year-old former Senators captain was part of a blockbuster trade when he was dealt to the Stars by Ottawa on July 1, 2014. And while the decision to fire Lindy Ruff at the end of last season has turned Dallas’ fortunes around, the move hasn’t been good for Spezza.
Since Hitchcock took over, Spezza’s ice time has taken a hit, he has moved to the second unit of the power play, plus he has been used at both centre and on the wing.
With only seven goals and 24 points in 64 games before facing Ottawa on Monday night at American Airlines Center, Spezza is on pace for the worst offensive year of his career. Spezza said the transition to a reduced role hasn’t been easy.
“It’s been an adjustment year, for sure. It’s been challenging for me,” said Spezza, selected No. 2 overall by the Senators in the 2001 NHL entry draft. “I don’t play as much as I used to. I think (Hitchcock) sees me in a different role and a different light and I’m trying to adapt to that.
“I’m trying to make my minutes effective. I think we’ve done a good job with the second power-play unit and we’ve scored some big goals. That’s something I’ve tried to take a lot of pride in and that’s trying to organize the second group and make sure we’re good.
“It’s been a change. I’ve played wing this year and kind of all over the place. I’ve gone through some growing pains for myself personally, but I think it will only make me better coming to the end of my career here to feel good about where I’m at and that I can play a different role, too.”
It’s hard to believe Spezza, who is the club’s second highest-paid player at $7.5 million per season on a contract that runs through next year, has seemingly become old so quick. He had 15 goals and 35 assists for 50 points in 68 games last season and it would be difficult to imagine he lost those skills over night.
Hitchcock did send a message by making Spezza a scratch earlier this season and, when asked about his role Sunday, the Dallas coach talked a lot about the fact that the club’s former top centre isn’t young anymore.
“It’s really hard for older players, it’s not just Jason, it’s everything,” Hitchcock said. “This is league that’s so reckless now, so fast, it’s hard for older guys. There’s a lot of older guys, I don’t want to say you have to re-invent yourself, but your value system has to change.
“I don’t think there’s many players that go from leading the league in scoring to retiring. The evolution pointswise starts to drop. That’s just the way it is. You can’t be on top of it just (based) on wear and tear. Then, it comes down to attention to details and then your role changes a little bit.
“More detail has to be placed in your game. You’re playing on a different line and maybe you’re not playing with the top-end skill guys. It’s a big adjustment for a lot of guys. I know with a lot of older players there’s still a place for them, but the biggest thing is the details instead of just playing on skill and talent have to be in there.”
OK, but Spezza isn’t exactly a greybeard by NHL standards.
“I think it’s a little bit of a stigma of the league right now that it’s a young man’s game,” Spezza said. “Is my role 20 minutes a night anymore? No, but there’s definitely a place and I feel pretty good about my game. I feel like I just have to stay sharp and stay ready and, when you get opportunities, you have to play well.”
This isn’t easy for Spezza because he has never been afraid of being the guy who was counted on to score the big goal, lead the way or accept responsibility if he wasn’t performing up to his own high standards.
“It’s been tough,” he said. “I’d be lying if I said it was just easy. I’ve been the go-to guy pretty much my whole life. When you get your ice time cut like that, at first there’s a little bit of anger and disappointment with it, and now I’ve adapted to it a little bit more and accepted it.
“It makes it worthwhile when you’re playing down the stretch here and you get to play some big games. Hopefully, I can contribute at some big times. It was tough at first. I think I expect more out of myself than what I’ve done this year and I feel like I have a lot left in me.”
Sounds like somebody needs to tell Hitchcock and
It’s been tough. I’d be lying if I said it was just easy. I’ve been the go-to guy pretty much my whole life.
Jason Spezza