[Signing] Stars sign Spezza to contract extension (4yrs, $7.5M AAV)

[sureLoss]

http://starsblog.dallasnews.com/2014...a-friday.html/

The Stars today are expected to announce a four-year contract extension for $30 million for Jason Spezza, according to an NHL source.

The 31-year-old center can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, but appears to be ready to make a commitment to the Stars. Spezza is finishing up a seven-year $49 million contract he signed with Ottawa, and that’s one reason the Stars were able to obtain him in trade last summer. Spezza made it clear he was not going to re-sign with the Senators, so they sent him and winger Ludwig Karlsson to Dallas for Alex Chiasson, Alex Guptill, Nick Paul and a second round draft pick in 2015.

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
Jason Spezza's contract extension with DAL is four years with an AAV of $7.5M.

[killer_carlson]

I think they'll live to regret this one.

That cap hit won't look good on a 35 year old Spezza.

[kyuss275]

Term is good. Seems like a lot of money for a guy playing as the 2nd line center.

[Huntingwhale]

Hopefully this bites them in the ass down the road.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I think they'll live to regret this one.

That cap hit won't look good on a 35 year old Spezza.

Spezza would have gotten a 7 year deal on the open market. The term is great.

[Stud_McCool]

$7.5M for Spezza is ridiculous. Good thing they have Seguin for cheap.
Just goes to show how great of a deal Tampa got Stamkos for another couple of years.

[HartAttack]

His back will give out for good before this contract expires... Cap hit won't look very good in years 3 and 4 IMO.

[Derek Sutton]

The upcomming UFA market looks terrible and centers are always in demand. Vermette, Fisher, Stoll and Brad Richards, again, are top names this comming off season. Still though too much money for the final two years.

[albertGQ]

That's a lot of money. Good term though

[East Coast Flame]

The hate Spezza gets is ridiculous. That's a great contract at a great term. I would take that on the Flames in a second.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Not worth the money. Never saw the excitement over Spezza. Never showed he was capable of carrying his team to any finish line.

[Imported_Aussie]

Wrapping up a good centre, playing a big role and scoring, in before testing UFA - on the balance of it, the deal is not that bad.
Is the cap hit going to be high in the later years - sure - but the cap should be rising, and you always have a pay a premium for veteran key players at centre.
Pretty fair deal for both sides

[Jay Random]

I can't help thinking that if teams are willing to shell out that kind of money for a 2nd-line centre, they must be willing to part with some pretty good assets to avoid spending the money.

Right now the Flames have eleventy zillion centremen in their system who look NHL-capable. (I counted carefully. Twice.) One or two of those guys could make mighty attractive trade bait when it comes time to fill other holes.

[timbit]

Spezza is a proven point per game C during the regular season and in the playoffs.

Those type of centermen do not grow on trees.

[Ozy_Flame]

It's not unreasonable. However, $6.5 would have been ideal. Spezza is a good player I wish we had on our team.

[Erick Estrada]

He's a good player. The salary is on the high side but the term is great when you consider what Brad Richards fetched at almost the same age.

[automaton 3]

Good player, some hard miles on him though.

[timbit]

Spezza is third among active centers, behind Crosby and Malkin , in points per game in regular season.

He is 4th behind the aforementioned and Giroux, in points per game in the playoffs.

[corporatejay]

crosby is disgustingly underpaid.

[East Coast Flame]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Term is good. Seems like a lot of money for a guy playing as the 2nd line center.

You consider Malkin a second line center too?