The Toronto Maple Leafs have re-signed Jason Spezza to a one year contract worth a league-minimum of $750K.
It was only a matter of time before Spezza re-signed in Toronto. The 38-year-old may be near the end of his career, but after the performance he put on during the regular season, and especially the playoffs last year, it feels like he has plenty left in the tank.
It’s kind of funny that the league minimum has gone up from $700K to $750K, but the salary cap hasn’t changed. I know it’s only $50K, but it makes little sense that Spezza can get a raise, while Toronto doesn’t get any extra money to play with.
Regardless, securing Spezza for the 2021-22 season was a great signing by the Leafs.
Spezza originally signed in Toronto to win a Stanley Cup in his hometown and he still has unfinished business. For a league minimum contract, you can argue that Spezza is giving this team the best value of any other player on the roster.
Both on, and off, the ice.
Great Move for Toronto Maple Leafs
In 112 career games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Spezza has 19 goals and 55 points (stats: hockeydb.com). It may not be the same production that he provided the Ottawa Senators in the mid 2000s, but that’s incredible value for a player making league minimum.
Every team needs that one veteran player that’s desperate to win a Stanley Cup and Spezza can be that rallying-cry. After making it to one Stanley Cup Final in 2007, Spezza hasn’t been particularly close to reaching a second one since.
Jason Spezza returns to the #leafs next season on his third straight league-minimum contract: $750,000.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 16, 2021
Toronto may have continued to disappoint it’s fans with their inability to win their first playoff round since 2004 this year, but they’re closer to winning a Stanley Cup, than they are to being a rebuilder. The talent around Spezza is immense and by re-signing him to a $750K contract, it will only allow the team to build stronger talent around him.
In a perfect world, Spezza is your fourth-line centre/winger and can play on the second powerplay. He shouldn’t be paired with another veteran like a Joe Thornton-type next year, but instead would benefit from some youth. Whether that’s Adam Brooks at centre and Nick Robertson on the off-wing, or somebody else inside/outside of the organization, Spezza has enough skill and speed at his tender age to benefit playing with a youthful player.
Even if his game declines this season, this is a great signing and the entire fanbase should be happy to know that Spezza wants to remain a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs and try to win with this group.