Ottawa Senators: Jason Spezza Is Working with Andy O'Brien.. What Can We Expect?

Jason Spezza, as we all know and love (or hate), has skills that very few possess in this league. He has hovered around the one point per game average for his career (526 GP, 532 PTS). But what can we expect from him this coming year?

Reports have stated that Spezza has been working with Sidney Crosby's fitness guru Andy O'Brien. If there is one thing that I have always admired about Crosby, it is the amount of work he puts in to continually improve his game.

This has been a worry of mine in regards to Spezza for some time now. Spezza has relied on his impressive skills for most of his career, and has yet to come to camp in tip-top shape.

Maybe this year is different.

This is not the first season that Spezza has worked with O'Brien (he did so last year as well), but they are focusing on Spezza staying lower when he skates. This type of extreme fitness regiment can definitely improve his health and keep him off the sidelines this season (Spezza has missed 42 games in the last two seasons).

It is vital for Ottawa to have a healthy Spezza this season. Moreover, he needs to tighten his defensive play, and working with O'Brien should increase his stamina and energy which are vital on defense. The past three seasons combined Spezza is minus-21. With further work, he shouldn't be such a negative player.

What do I expect from Spezza?

Well I feel that there will be some sort of renaissance with the Senators, and especially Alfie and Spez. Spezza is still only 28 and in the prime of his career. I feel he will take much more of a leadership role, and will have a very successful offensive and defensive season.

Projection: 80 GP 29 G 59 A 88 PTS plus-7 13 Power-Play Goals