NHL Rumors: Jason Spezza doesn’t want to play for teams in Canada
By Josh Hill
The future of Ottawa Senators center Jason Spezza is up in the air and when it lands, the veteran would like to find himself on a hockey roster located in America and not in Canada.
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According to the Ottawa Sun the Calgary Flames have reportedly made an offer to trade for Jason Spezza, but a deal is unlikely to ever happen — mainly because Spezza is now anti-Canada and is refusing to play for any teams north of the American border.
"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."
It’s a bit odd that Spezza has no interest in the Montreal Canadiens, and he may soften his stance on them given how deep they made it into the postseason and the upside the team has. But with Thomas Vanek an unrestricted free agent, P.K. Subban’s future in flux and the team teetering on the brink, it’s understandable why the Habs aren’t completely attractive.
Spezza will likely look to land with someone like the Ducks, Blackhawks, Kings, Bruins or Penguins who can offer him a chance to make a serious run at a Stanley Cup next season. He’s not the only veteran skater looking to find a competitive new home, as Ryan Kessler wants out in Vancouver and the San Jose Sharks are trying to trade Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau.
Spezza will likely find a home, but so far the only documented offer for him has come from Calgary, which is the last thing he could want.