Jason Spezza No Longer Heading To Columbus

There was a rumour I heard that the Columbus Blue Jackets were attempting to acquire Jason Spezza. In fact for about half an hour people actually believed the trade had happened. Here is what the trade was:

To Ottawa: Derrick Brassard, Kristian Huselius, 4th overall pick

To Columbus: Jason Spezza

I am gonna go out on a limb and assume that it was Columbus that turned the deal down. In fact Murray told Darren Dreger the deal sending Spezza to Columbus is dead. I am going to assume the person who shot down this deal was Howson and not Murray. After all Murray would be getting a king's ransom for Spezza, who is $500,000 to $1,000,000 per year overpaid, doesn't sound like much but then again he was only amazing with a goal scorer with him so he may be more overpaid than I think. 

One of the reasons Spezza's price may have gotten high is that other teams have taken an interest. Take Florida for instance, their GM built the Stanley Cup winning Chicago Blackhawks, so when he showed an interest other teams started to as well. But it gets better for Leaf fans, apparently Brian Burke asked for Spezza and Murray turned him down, but it is perfect for marketing. Think about it, Murray could tell other teams Burke is after Spezza and after the Phaneuf robbery other teams could get concerned about how Burke may steal another budding superstar for nothing.

So with all these stud GMs asking about Spezza the price starts to go up, but the reality is neither Burke, nor Tallon probably want to make a huge offer for Spezza. He is a talented player for sure, but his contract is worrying. I think (though I may be wrong) that these 2 GMs thought if they can get him for very little they would do it. The proof is in the fact that Florida trade is only a rumour and Murray (allegedly) refuses to send Spezza to a division rival. 

In conclusion I think Ottawa will get very little return for Jason Spezza, and definitely nowhere near the return Columbus allegedly shot down. The trade rumours are fun to listen to but if Murray is willing to deal him to a division rival I will welcome him with open arms here in Toronto. However the Spezza to Columbus trade is dead.