Phoenix isn't on that list, it's nice to see. Phoenix is in the western conference. Phoenix isn't Canadian...........

While I don't think so; I wouldn't have expect Hull to either, but that worked out pretty all right.
- Antilles

Spezza will be awesome on the Blues under Hitch. They like each other and Hitch would give him some rope and insulate him well.

A lot of the "trade Spezza" suitors pointed out that Florida and Nashville would be good trading partners. I didn't disagree that those teams would be interested. However, here we now see how no-trades, no matter how small the list is, makes a list of trade suitors shrink. We've only seen 4 teams listed and 2 of them were "good trading targets". Not really the best start for trying to deal Spezza. Will be interesting to see who the other teams are. (listing the other teams is pure speculation) I don't see the "bidding" for Spezza as strong as some others on here. With suitors being eliminated and the other centre options available for trade and in free agency, it's hard to imagine an overwhelming package coming out way.

I'd tend to think that the inclusion of Nashville on this list is not a reflection on the team or the city, so much as the fact that it's been probably the most notoriously low-scoring team in the NHL over the past decade, and that's not a good situation for an offensive-minded centre in a contract year. I'm getting the sense that St. Louis is the team that will get him one way or the other... you wouldn't think that it would be a good fit with Hitchcock, but he apparently has quite a high opinion of Spezza, and God knows the Blues could use more of a centrepiece forward to help bolster their scoring.

The real question now is whether Murray can get more than Berglund and a 1st Round Pick for Spezza... it wouldn't be surprising to see a convoluted network of conditional assets to be included in case he re-signs (similar to the Ryan Miller trade).

If he truly has Nashville on his no trade list- Frnak him- we have a much nicer city than St. Louis and who the hell wants to give up the farm for a soft forward only signed for the next year.
- predsfan97

Never been to Nashville, I hear it's fun. Not into the music scene there AT ALL, but I'm sure I could handle it.

Him not accepting a trade to Nashville is short sighted in my mind. He would get to play with Mike Fisher, a guy he knows. Also Weber, Jones and Rinne. I could think of worse situations to go to. Plus it's not an intense hockey market. He would be able to live his life again.
- tomburton99

We would have been a great fit. The only positive I can take away from this is at least we won't give up too much. Otherwise, I'm a little hurt.

Spezza will be awesome on the Blues under Hitch. They like each other and Hitch would give him some rope and insulate him well.
- Cup 06

Hitch had success with Brett (frank)ing Hull....I'm sure he could handle Spezza.

I'd tend to think that the inclusion of Nashville on this list is not a reflection on the team or the city, so much as the fact that it's been probably the most notoriously low-scoring team in the NHL over the past decade, and that's not a good situation for an offensive-minded centre in a contract year. I'm getting the sense that St. Louis is the team that will get him one way or the other... you wouldn't think that it would be a good fit with Hitchcock, but he apparently has quite a high opinion of Spezza, and God knows the Blues could use more of a centrepiece forward to help bolster their scoring.

The real question now is whether Murray can get more than Berglund and a 1st Round Pick for Spezza... it wouldn't be surprising to see a convoluted network of conditional assets to be included in case he re-signs (similar to the Ryan Miller trade).
- khawk

Contract year issue is a good point that makes sense. I'm buying that.

We would have been a great fit. The only positive I can take away from this is at least we won't give up too much. Otherwise, I'm a little hurt.
- Vegas Trotzkies

Agreed. He would be a great fit. I wonder if Nashville is interested in any of the other rumored Centers available?

Agreed. He would be a great fit. I wonder if Nashville is interested in any of the other rumored Centers available?
- Jeropotato

There is a decent list available. They strike out on Spezza, they simply go to the next name on the list. This will probably happen if the price for Spezza is too high as well.

Agreed. He would be a great fit. I wonder if Nashville is interested in any of the other rumored Centers available?
- Jeropotato

I think Statsny is still número uno target for us.

I think Statsny is still número uno target for us.
- Vegas Trotzkies

all indications are that he's going to re-sign in colorado.....has even publically said he'll take a "discount' to play there. he's said he loves playing with mackinnon and landeskog (i think those are the 2 linemates he mentioned)

There is a decent list available. They strike out on Spezza, they simply go to the next name on the list. This will probably happen if the price for Spezza is too high as well.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Which is? Thornton? Marleau? Eric Cole? Stastny? Ryan O'Riely? Of course this list is just rumors.
How is the cash situation in Music city?

Which is? Thornton? Marleau? Eric Cole? Stastny? Ryan O'Riely? Of course this list is just rumors.
How is the cash situation in Music city?
- Jeropotato

the issue for any "smaller market" team to get a big name center is that they all have NTC's, are all a little older, and likely all want to go to a contender.

no offense at all to nashville, who are a very good team, but i think the lure of teams like chicago, pittsburgh, anaheim, etc, will mean that it would be difficult for the big name guys to waive their clauses to go there.

i say that knowing full well that if it was ottawa looking for a center, they likely wouldn't waive to go there either......so i'm not just trying to rag on nashville.

all indications are that he's going to re-sign in colorado.....has even publically said he'll take a "discount' to play there. he's said he loves playing with mackinnon and landeskog (i think those are the 2 linemates he mentioned)
- sensarmy_11

True, but a lot can happen between now and then. We thought we would be locking up Suter and Weber a few years back. Suter told Poile he would give him a chance to match any offer, then he bolts, and Philly phucks with Weber. I'd be surprised if everything in Colorado went according to plan with Statsny and O'Reily.

True, but a lot can happen between now and then. We thought we would be locking up Suter and Weber a few years back. Suter told Poile he would give him a chance to match any offer, then he bolts, and Philly phucks with Weber. I'd be surprised if everything in Colorado went according to plan with Statsny and O'Reily.
- Vegas Trotzkies

if i was putting money on it, i'd say RoR is more likely to not be in colorado next year then stastny...........although i think that would be a big mistake by the Avs

how often do you think they take less money to add a NTC? my guess is almost never.

i think it's just common practice now, because players want to control where they go. i don't think it has anything to do with being in a city they like, but rather controlling where they go if they do get traded.
- sensarmy_11

Marleau and Thorton

.

Wtf would Nonis have to do with anything? Why would you drag his name into this convo, is it just because you're one of those fans that just has to get a dig in at the leafs whenever you can? Dreger has been solid, a bit less than Bobby Mac but still reliable.
- Conquest

Actually, Sens-Army might have a point.

I also think Dreger is seen as a bit of a Leafs homer so who knows what people are willing to tell him or not.

Marleau and Thorton
- riceroni

good point. i cant' really think of anyone else

Which is? Thornton? Marleau? Eric Cole? Stastny? Ryan O'Riely? Of course this list is just rumors.
How is the cash situation in Music city?
- Jeropotato

Our financials are good. The new owners have seen sponsorships and events at the arena soar. That's partly being good businessmen and partly just hockey as a sport taking off in the area. We're just about to finish the Ford Center too which I believe is our latest youth hockey complex too. Money isn't the problem.

the issue for any "smaller market" team to get a big name center is that they all have NTC's, are all a little older, and likely all want to go to a contender.

no offense at all to nashville, who are a very good team, but i think the lure of teams like chicago, pittsburgh, anaheim, etc, will mean that it would be difficult for the big name guys to waive their clauses to go there.

i say that knowing full well that if it was ottawa looking for a center, they likely wouldn't waive to go there either......so i'm not just trying to rag on nashville.
- sensarmy_11

Agreed. I don't know about Steeltown, but I'd rather play for Chicago or Anaheim without question .

i guess i could understand FLA , NSH, & NYI...but CLB? they're a team moving in the right direction with good upper management. That's puzzling

i guess i could understand FLA , NSH, & NYI...but CLB? they're a team moving in the right direction with good upper management. That's puzzling
- steponmytoe

i'm pretty sure (although not 100%) that his list was submitted in 2012......that would explain a lot.

I can't see the interest Jason Spezza being very high. At 7 million per year, if there was any term left other than one year, they would be talking compliance buyout about him. Between back problems, his age and diminishing numbers on ice, a team could trade for him and get very little in return for the 7 million that they have spent. I feel that only the desperate teams would be interested at all. All of the contending teams generally don't want to acquire a high risk player with a high salary as they are close to the cap anyway. He will not be traded until after the season starts as a contending team with an injury might be interested then and Ottawa has had a history of letting their big name trades turn ugly.

Agreed. I don't know about Steeltown, but I'd rather play for Chicago or Anaheim without question .
- Vegas Trotzkies

i included pitt simply because they're always a "contender".....that would be attractive for a 30+ vet, who hasn't won a cup yet (thornton, spezza, kesler, etc)