[Rumour] Garrioch: Flames make pitch for Spezza. UPD: Treliving denies offer

[sureLoss]

According to Garrioch Flames offered Hudler, Backlund, possibly Wideman and one of their 2nd or 3rd round picks in the 2014 draft.

http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/06/14/...n-jason-spezza

One Canadian team has reached out to try to get Senators' captain Jason Spezza.

He likely doesn't want to go there.

League sources say the Calgary Flames have made a pitch to the Senators for their top centre but what they're offering and the destination itself make the chances of a deal happening slim.

While Flames' GM Brad Treliving deserves credit for trying to make a splash and rebuild, sources say Spezza has no desire whatsoever to stay in Canada and has told the Senators as much.

Sources say the Flames, Canucks, Oilers and Jets are among those on Spezza's list of 10 teams where he doesn't want to end up. The status of the Maple Leafs and Canadiens isn't known but he wouldn't be dealt to either of those places.

Calgary would be a longshot at best, unless Spezza gives his blessing to stay in Canada which is highly unlikely.

update:

http://m.calgarysun.com/2014/06/17/c...de-speculation

Brad Treliving said he poured a cup of coffee and opened up his laptop Sunday morning with no intention on catching up on some fiction.
However, he claims that’s exactly what he saw when he read a report suggesting he’d offered up a draft pick and a trio of his players for Ottawa Senators centre Jason Spezza.
“It’s categorically false,” said the Calgary Flames new GM, making his first public response to a report out of Ottawa saying the Flames offered up Jiri Hudler, Mikael Backlund, “possibly” Dennis Wideman and a second- or third-round draft pick.
“I haven’t made any such offers. That’s 100% fantasy island. I saw it early Sunday online and had to read it a couple times and had to remind myself ‘oh ya I’m the Flames GM. Interesting.’ ”
Treliving isn’t overly bothered by the rumour, as he knows in today’s world he’ll be subject to endless speculation as an NHL GM, especially in Canada.
He doesn’t deny having conversations with Senators GM Bryan Murray about myriad topics.
Same goes for Vancouver Canucks GM Jim Benning, who just happens to be tasked with trying to peddle another coveted centre, Ryan Kesler.
However, it’s fruitless to suggest the Flames will find a suitor with either club as they try to land the most sought-after commodity in hockey today — big, skilled centres.

[dissentowner]

Spezza is a whiny loser who's best days are behind him anyhow. Do not want.

[Jacks]

Makes no sense at all, not a good fit IMO.

[DOOM]

Makes no sense unless we can negotiate an extension before the deal is made. Also I doubt he would want to come to Calgary since we are rebuilding.

[Cole436]

This doesn't make any sense for one year of an oft injured 30 year old centre.

Fire Treliving

[SebC]

Don't like that offer. If he's not happy in Ottawa I don't think he'd be happy here either so the trade acquiring him without the right other pieces seems unlikely to get us to the playoffs.

[Yoho]

No problem with that offer, all spare parts

[Kidder]

Scares me if true. That this may be the type of splash Treliving would want to make.

[robertsfanatic]

I have heard about some pretty bad off ice habits that have made me not want to have him on this team...obviously it's all speculation but where there's smoke, there's fire most times...
I'd prefer a less costly lecavalier, if the flyers eat salary.

[SebC]

Yeah, that deal is so bad that I have to assume Garrioch is trolling us.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Big pass. Spezza's a decent player, but the Flames need to keep assets like Backlund and draft picks for now.

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

According to Garrioch Flames offered Hudler, Backlund, possibly Wideman and one of their 2nd or 3rd round picks in the 2014 draft.

For all of that, we had better be getting Erik Karlsson along with Spezza. Only way that becomes a salvageable deal.

[AcGold]

Backlund for Spezza sucks, Backlund will probably play more games and put up more points than Spezza will for the rest of their careers. And Backlund is a team guy that goes into the scrums. What a horrible trade all around, hopefully the package is just a list of potential parts and not all of them because that's embarrassing if true.

[Caged Great]

It doesn't hurt to kick the tires. Even if you don't get the player, it's good to know what the other team might be interested in moving besides Spezza.

That said, the rumored cost is beyond stupid.

[kyuss275]

This rumour is bull. For the flames having Spezza for one year does not make sense. Especially when you think about his defensive play.

The return that the senators get is not all that great either. There are wingers on the ufa market they could pick up for free.

[saXon]

It's a rumor. Until it happens, I don't put much stock into it. Especially coming from Garrioch, the world's best insider.

[SportsJunky]

Garrioch isn't the most trustworthy source so I won't get too worried yet. I've just assumed Treliving was of the same mind as the fanbase in that a slow and steady rebuild is the way to go here. It never really dawned on me that he may want to try something like this. I can't say as I'd be pleased if this move or something similar was made this off season.

[dammage79]

I'm totally cool trying to get Spezza, but that offer makes no sense unless Cammy is re-signing. And moving Backlund now kind of hurts, I'd rather Stajan go.

Only reason I can see a package like that being shopped around is Treliving wants to clear the roster a little more and put his stamp on the team real fast.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Drury18

For all of that, we had better be getting Erik Karlsson along with Spezza. Only way that becomes a salvageable deal.

The deal is not fair for senators. A 2nd line winger and a center that is not a sure bet to be an every team 2nd line center. The 2nd or 3rd round pick don't mean much in a weak draft.

Senators are better off trying to get Berglund + from St. Louis .

[_Q_]

No way this is true.