When Jason Spezza signed a one-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs last July, most people believed that the 17-year NHL veteran was simply finishing out a great career as a depth player on his hometown team, but after dealing with his usage early in the year, the 36-year-old center is likely to re-sign with the Leafs for another year.
"I definitely feel like I have game left and there's nowhere else I'd rather be than (to) play another year here in Toronto," Spezza said on a conference call on Tuesday. "I would love to be back because we are building things with this club and I want to be a part of that."
Spezza infamously was scratched on opening night against Ottawa (his former club) and 10 times by Mike Babcock before his dismissal on November 20, but missed only two games under Sheldon Keefe and saw his leadership role and impact on the ice grow under the Leafs new head coach.
"We went through a start of the season where I was in and out of the lineup, I was just trying to establish myself and find a role with the team. As the year progressed, my role became a little more defined and then I was able to focus on just playing and being a good positive influence on the games every night and less so about being in the lineup and I think that helped me just kind of understand what my role was and what was expected of me." Spezza said. "I got more and more comfortable with the systems and my place on the team and knowing that different nights I was gonna move around in the lineup and it was fun (and) a great challenge."
In 58 games, the former #2 overall pick has 25 points (9 goals, 16 assists) playing up the middle and right wing on the third and fourth line and on the second power play, but Spezza has also been effective in providing a good example in the locker room to young core players like Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews, as well as filling some of the leadership gap left vacant by the departure of Patrick Marleau.
"I didn't know Mitch or Auston at all coming into this year and (I’ve) just been really impressed. With Mitch, it's the excitement, the enthusiasm, the energy he brings every day. He has an infectious personality. The guys love being around him, he's like an energizer bunny who is going around the rink and always yapping at guys and always (has) a good demeanor." Spezza said. "(Matthews) loves the game, he works really hard at it. People don't know how dedicated he is and how much effort he puts into the game. I can relate to him a lot that way because that's kind of how I was as a younger player. You can tell he's got that fire and I want to help them be the best version of himself that he can be. Those are exciting guys to have in the locker room. There's no limit to what we can be as a team when you have high-end guys like that."
With recent optimistic chatter that the NHL will complete their season at some point this summer, Spezza and his teammates are trying to stay prepared physically, but the veteran believes it will take a bit of time for everyone to ramp up to be ready to resume play.
"The way I've approached is, we should be in better physical shape in terms of off-ice strength. I know we've talked about amongst our group is how you try to almost approach it like summer training at this point where you're just worried about building up strength." Spezza said. "The challenge with this is that there's nobody on the ice. Even during the lockout, there was an opportunity for guys to skate at local rinks. So the biggest challenge would be getting your game up to speed. I think that'll take a few weeks of skating. I think the guys that are involved with the committee to help resume play. I think they're all pretty aware that nobody is on the ice right now and there would have to be a bit of a run-up period, but the reality is that it's our job to keep ourselves fit, so that period isn't as long as maybe was ideal, but we're ready to play."
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Today is the one year anniversary of the #Leafs Game 6home loss to Boston. That was their best opportunity to advance against the Bruins, since Game 7's at TD Garden have given them a bit of trouble (understatement).https://t.co/SvxE3JVT2r
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