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Jason Spezza News & Rumors

Spezza key for Sens
February 8
Ottawa Sun
 columnist Don Brennan
"It's no coincidence that both Jason Spezza and the Senators entered Tuesday in six-game slumps. As one goes, so goes the other. I know it, you know it, Spezza knows it. "I haven't scored, we haven't won, I know I have to produce for us to win," Spezza said a few hours before facing the Blues Tuesday. "I'm definitely putting pressure on myself to make sure I'm playing well this week.""
Spezza urges calm as Sens lick their wounds
February 6
Ottawa Sun
 
"Jason Spezza has some advice for all those Senators' faithful poised to hit the panic button. "We've got to take a deep breath and just relax," said the club's alternate captain. Coming off a disgraceful 5-0 beating at the hands of the arch-rival Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday at Scotiabank Place that extended the Senators losing streak to six games, the players had Sunday off to lick their wounds. The Senators woke up sitting in the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference. They're still in the playoff picture, all is not lost and they've got three games left at home this week, starting with Tuesday's visit by the St. Louis Blues. "You've got to look at the whole picture," said Spezza Saturday."
Helmetless Spezza cut in warmup
January 24
Ottawa Sun
 
"Jason Spezza was asked Monday about the incident that saw Oilers winger Taylor Hall suffer a nasty cut when he was clipped by a teammate's skate in warmup. Hall wasn't wearing a helmet, same as Spezza and other Senators during the warmup. "I don't like wearing a helmet in warmup," said Spezza. "As a kid, I liked watching guys in warmups without a helmet ... it was just something I always wanted to do when I got to this level. You might get hurt, but it's a chance you take, I guess." Of the Hall incident, Spezza said: "It's just a freak thing, it doesn't happen very often. Knock on wood. You hope you don't (get injured). I've been hit with a puck before. I've shot one off the crossbar that"
Spezza scores twice as Sens blank Rangers
January 13
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Until Thursday night, the Ottawa Senators were the only team in the NHL that had not posted a shutout this season. It took them 45 games, but they finally did it Thursday night, unexpectedly against the top team in the NHL, blanking the Rangers 3-0. The Senators have won seven of their last eight games and the first two on this three-game road trip. The road win was also the team's 300th in its modern history. Jason Spezza scored two goals, one on a power play, and Milan Michalek added his 23rd of the season, while Craig Anderson, 7-0-1 in his last eight games, stopped 34 shots. Erik Karlsson had two assists."
Four Sens stars, Alfie will be captain
January 6
Ottawa Sun
 
"The Senators won the Battle of Ontario at the ballot box. And not only did fans vote four Senators into the NHL all-star game starting lineup, the Ottawa Sun has learned that Daniel Alfredsson will be named one of the captains for the Jan. 29 game at Scotibank Place. Toronto's Phil Kessel, who led the voting going into the final week of voting, was bumped out of the lineup. Ottawa swept the three forward spots with Alfredsson, Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek getting in. Erik Karlsson will start on defence. They'll be joined by Toronto defenceman Dion Phaneuf and Boston goalie Tim Thomas. It was difficult for the players to hide their excitement after an outstanding final push by Ottawa"
Spezza clocked at 103.8
December 29
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Jason Spezza said later one of his main goals was to simply not embarrass himself. Yeah, right. The Ottawa Senators centre ended up being the star of the team's annual skills competition in front of roughly 13,400 fans at Scotiabank Place Wednesday afternoon. His prowess allowed Team Alfredsson — aka, Team Black — to end its three-year losing streak against Chris Phillips' Team Red squad."
Spezza: NHL players might see hiding head injury is bad
December 17
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"There are plenty of theories intended to explain the spike in NHL players diagnosed with concussions over the past year. Some point to the increased size and speed of players. Others suggest changes to the rules are responsible. And there are many who contend that there are more concussions diagnosed these days simply because medical personnel are more aware of them than in the past. But, as Ottawa prepared to face the Penguins Friday night at Scotiabank Place, Senators center Jason Spezz a put forth an intriguing idea: That players finally have realized that hiding a potentially serious injury is not in their best interest. "I think guys are probably being more honest about what they're"
Spezza sizzles in faceoff circle
November 10
Ottawa Sun
 
"Go figure — a rookie mistake cost the Senators Wednesday night. It was obvious that David Rundblad was trying to do too much in his first game back after two in the pressbox. When last we saw Rundblad, wasn't he a Swede? Against the Rangers, especially in the first period, he was more of a rushin' defenceman. His third dash up ice was stopped before it really started, but he was bailed out by Craig Anderson's good stop off a Marion Gaborik chance. In the second, Rundblad coughed up the puck with a blind backhand pass from behind his own net. Quickly, the turnover turned into New York's second goal of the night. It was a lead the Blueshirts would never relinquish. The Senators did have a"
Spezza looking to bust out
November 9
Ottawa Sun
 
"As Jason Spezza goes these days, so go the Senators. Trying to break a three-game losing skid, the Senators close out a three-game homestand Wednesday at against the New York Rangers before opening a stretch that will see Ottawa play nine of its next 10 games on the road. It's no coincidence the club has lost three of the past four games Spezza has been held pointless. If Spezza is frustrated, he's certainly not showing it. "When I'm scoring, the team is doing well," said Spezza. "I know I have to bring offence and score goals to make us a success. "Some nights, you don't get the results, but you just chalk it up as a bad week and go forward. I still feel good about my game. I still feel"
Cheapseats: Spezza the specialist
November 6
Ottawa Sun
 
"Win, lose or draw, Jason Spezza wants to be counted on in the faceoff circle. The Senators top centre, who leads the club in scoring, can add "faceoff specialist" to an already impressive resume. And that resume should result in a short distance trip to this year's all-star game being held at Scotiabank Place in January. Not only is Spezza trying to be better at both ends, he went into Saturday's visit by the Buffalo Sabres as the NHL's busiest man in the faceoff circle by taking 322 draws, well ahead of Carolina's Eric Staal (294). "It's just something I try to (take) pride in," said Spezza."
Senators motivated to win by embarrassing losses, says Spezza
November 1
Ottawa Citizen
 
"It's a fair bet that no one who scratched out pre-season predictions would have placed the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins where they are today. The Senators, a near unanimous pick to finish in one of the bottom three slots of the Eastern Conference, are in fourth and on a six-game winning streak. The defending Stanley Cup champion Bruins, by contrast, have seen nothing but woe so far. They've lost their last three, are 2-5-0 at home and 1-2-0 on the road. So tonight's game here at TD Garden represents a pivotal moment for both teams. The sub-plots are enticing. Consider: Can the Senators keep playing as well as they have, or do they let success go to their heads? Can the Bruins turn the"
Spezza scoring points with coach, against critics
October 23
Ottawa Sun
 
"Wasn't it just about a week ago that people were saying the Senators need more from Jason Spezza? Well, they're sure getting it now. Spezza had three more points Saturday night — including the game-tying goal with 36 seconds left and help on the winner five ticks from the final buzzer — to give him six in his past two games and seven in his past three. With 11 points through eight outings, not only is he the Senators' top point-getter but he is also challenging for the NHL scoring lead. "Jason has been a very consistent player for us," coach Paul MacLean said after the dramatic, 4-3 win over the Blue Jackets Saturday. "He's really working hard at being a complete player, and I think it has"
Spezza: 'We're a good team'
October 10
Ottawa Sun
 
"The Senators had a day off to lick their wounds after serving up a Thanksgiving turkey Saturday in Toronto. As they prepare to welcome the original Senators team from 1992-93 at Tuesday's home opener against the Minnesota Wild at Scotiabank Place, Ottawa players are trying to come up with answers as to why they're winless. They staged a third-period comeback in a 6-5 loss to the Maple Leafs, but the reality is they didn't get the two points. There have been fingers pointed at the young players with all the mistakes taking place, but it's the vets as well. "The veterans are the ones that need to come to the fore when a goal is scored against us," said Senators coach Paul MacLean. "They've"
Spezza's 'A' OK with Sens
October 3
Ottawa Sun
 
"The 'A' on Jason Spezza's jersey is there to stay. While he wore the letter after Bryan Murray's selloff last spring, this time it's here to stay — coach Paul MacLean has named the 28-year-old Spezza an alternate captain. While he's always been willing to take a leadership role, Spezza will now officially be part of captain Daniel Alfredsson's support group, along with Chris Phillips."
Spezza's 'A' OK with Sens
October 2
Ottawa Sun
 
"The 'A' on Jason Spezza's jersey is there to stay. While he wore the letter after Bryan Murray's selloff last spring, this time it's here to stay — coach Paul MacLean has named the 28-year-old Spezza an alternate captain. While he's always been willing to take a leadership role, Spezza will now officially be part of captain Daniel Alfredsson's support group, along with Chris Phillips. "It's kind of a natural progression," said Spezza Saturday at Scotiabank Place. "I think the longer you are around, the more responsibility you have. I know I have to be good every night for our team to do well. With the young guys around, I know I have to make a good impression off the ice."
Spezza likes MacLean's approach
September 23
Ottawa Citizen
 
""Paul has worked us real hard," the Senators' No. 1 centre, Jason Spezza, said Thursday following yet another long day at the rink that included a practice, a 30-minute scrimmage and an off-ice workout. "There has been a lot of skating. It has been work, but good work. "I think if you put the time in at this time of year, it will benefit us going into the season. Once you start playing a lot of games, it's hard to have these kinds of conditioning days. It has been pretty fast and furious for the past five or six days.""
Stars align for local hockey guru
August 9
Toronto Star
 columnist Dave Feschuk
"Jason Spezza, the Mississauga-bred centre for the Ottawa Senators, walked into a dressing room recently. Before he sat down, he hopped over the equipment bag belonging to Mike Cammalleri, the Montreal Canadiens forward, and settled into a spot across from Jeff Skinner, the NHL rookie of the year, and Wojtek Wolski, the New York Rangers winger. Why was the foursome of pros, slated to make a combined salary of about $20 million next season, spending a summer's day at the decaying Vaughan Iceplex, where the goal nets, like the walls, have holes? They were there to see Jari Byrski, the noted skill development coach. Byrski, who'd been talking on the phone, ended his call."
Spezza excited for season to start, but warns of growing pains
August 6
Ottawa Sun
 
"Jason Spezza is keeping expectations low but the work ethic high for the Senators. Speaking to Sportsnet Radio The Fan 590 in Toronto on Friday, the Senators centre said he believes the club will work hard, but admitted there's going to be some growing pains as part of the next step in a major rebuild. Spezza, 28, who is spending the off-season in Toronto, is taking part in the Allstate All-Canadians Mentorship Camp at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga. It's an NHLPA initiative Gary Roberts is running for the top 42 bantam players in the country. Spezza said he's been pleased with the off-season changes made by Senators GM Bryan Murray. With new coach Paul MacLean and plenty of young"
Blue Jackets chasin' Jason?
June 23
Ottawa Sun
 
"The Senators aren't dangling Jason Spezza in trade talks. But that doesn't mean other teams aren't asking about the star centre. So desperate to make a trade after years of failure, Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson is getting plenty of heat to use his No. 8 overall selection in Friday's NHL draft to get help immediately. While Howson talked to the cash-crunched Philadelphia Flyers about centre Jeff Carter, it was suggested in Wednesday's Columbus Dispatch that Howson may also make a pitch for Spezza. According to the report, the Jackets aren't going to be able to find what they want in free agency on July 1. The market is thin with Brad Richards the only true No. 1 centre available. "There's a"
Spezza learned long ago to play assigned role
May 1
Edmonton Journal
 
"Make the case that head coach Ken Hitchcock owes Jason Spezza the generous ice time afforded him in the opening game of the world hockey championship and the name on the back of the No. 19 jersey becomes more important than the crest on the front. That's clearly not the way Team Canada conducts its business at this tournament. A player assumes the role he is given, whether he plays it in the National Hockey League or not, whether it's in his comfort zone or not, and whether he expects more or less ice time is irrelevant. It can also change game-to-game or in the case of Spezza, year-to-year. In 2008, playing for Hitchcock mostly on the bottom two lines, Spezza managed only three points in"
Spezza looks forward to world championship
April 7
Ottawa Sun
 
"Jason Spezza is going to get his chance to take on the world. The Senators centre hasn't formally been invited to play for Team Canada, but GM David Nonis is expected to make a phone call in the next couple of days to invite Spezza to represent his country this month in Slovakia. Spezza, who has suited up for Canada in the 2008 and '09 worlds, said he's excited about the opportunity and is looking forward to extending his hockey season with the Senators out of the playoffs. "They usually wait until the end," said Spezza Wednesday. "I've heard some rumblings I'll probably be going, but I haven't heard from anybody directly. "They have to make up their minds on who they're taking and who"
Spezza looks forward to world championship
April 7
Ottawa Sun
 
"Jason Spezza is going to get his chance to take on the world. The Senators centre hasn't formally been invited to play for Team Canada, but GM David Nonis is expected to make a phone call in the next couple of days to invite Spezza to represent his country this month in Slovakia. Spezza, who has suited up for Canada in the 2008 and '09 worlds, said he's excited about the opportunity and is looking forward to extending his hockey season with the Senators out of the playoffs. "They usually wait until the end," said Spezza Wednesday. "I've heard some rumblings I'll probably be going, but I haven't heard from anybody directly. "They have to make up their minds on who they're taking and who"
Spezza sends Sens past Flyers
April 6
Ottawa Citizen
 
"In their search for inspiration to take into what will be a long summer, the Ottawa Senators found some on Tuesday night in a 5-2 win over the struggling, but still playoff-bound, Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers just can't seem to win in Ottawa. Counting Tuesday's loss, the Flyers have lost 10 of their last 11 games in Ottawa, including seven straight. They haven't won a game in the nation's capital since 2007. Twice they took leads on Tuesday, but twice they lost them as the Senators scored three power-play goals, the most they've scored in a game this season. The loss was Philly's fourth straight. The victory was sweet music to the Scotiabank Place crowd of 18,397 fans. The players found"
Spezza pleased for pal Emery
April 3
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Ray Emery's latest success story hasn't gone unnoticed by longtime friend Jason Spezza. "He's playing great, he's excited, he's feeling fresh and he's pretty focused right now," the Ottawa Senators centre said Saturday. For those who haven't noticed, Emery, the former Senators goaltender, has written an impressive comeback story with the Anaheim Ducks. After surgery for a career-threatening hip injury, Emery has backstopped the once struggling Ducks into comfortable playoff position in the National Hockey League's Western Conference. Before Saturday's late game against the San Jose Sharks, Emery was 6-0-0 for the Ducks. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that made him the first"
Spezza wants a spot on Team Canada for world hockey championships
March 31
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Jason Spezza is waiting for the phone to ring. He feels fine physically, so if he gets the call, he'll gladly join Team Canada for the world hockey championships in Slovakia. He could be one of as many as six Ottawa Senators to play for their respective countries this spring. Milan Michalek has already been contracted by the Czech team and said he'll play, Ryan Shannon has agreed to play for the United States, and Nick Foligno is pondering an offer to join the U.S. team. Defenceman Erik Karlsson hasn't yet received an invitation to play for Sweden but it's believed to be in the mail, and Marek Svatos, who played for Slovakia last year and has a history with the national team, is expected"
Spezza caps Sens' comeback against Bolts
March 20
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Jason Spezza took a licking, but kept on ticking. After leaving the game temporarily following an elbow to the head late in the second period, Spezza emerged as the hero in overtime, putting the finishing touches on the Ottawa Senators' wildly entertaining, unpredictable, come-from-behind 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night. The Lightning led 2-0 at the start of the third period, limiting the Senators to only 12 shots through the first 40 minutes, seemingly in complete control and looking very much like the playoff-bound team it is. Then came the rally from a Senators squad which can't even dream about making the post-season until next spring. With 7:33 left in"
Spezza aims to play at world championships
March 17
Ottawa Citizen
 
"For Jason Spezza, a chance to play for Canada at next month's world championships isn't about finding a silver lining in an otherwise dismal season. He's aiming higher than that. "For me, the gold medal is the motivation," Spezza said Wednesday, musing about the possibility of playing at the tournament in Slovakia, which runs from April 29 — May 15. "I have two (world championship) silver medals. I would really like to win the gold medal." Spezza was also shut out of the top prize in his three world junior tournaments, capturing a silver and two bronze medals. Just the same, the Senators' top centre isn't taking anything for granted. The official announcement of a management team will be"
Spezza finds leadership role with Sens
March 10
Ottawa Sun
 
"Jason Spezza is taking the 'A' on his jersey to heart. As the clock ticks down on a season of struggle for the Senators, the club's top centre is trying to find ways contribute, trying to find ways to make a difference and trying to find ways to lead by example. The last couple of months haven't been easy for anybody in the Senators' dressing room. But they have been particularly hard on Spezza, who's watched friends sent packing one by one. GM Bryan Murray shipped the likes of veterans Mike Fisher, Chris Kelly, Jarkko Ruutu, Ale Kovalev, Brian Elliott and Chris Campoli as the Senators went in a new, younger direction. "I've had a lot of good friends that have left. Guys that I've spent a"
Is there a 'C' change in store for Spezza, Senators?
February 16
Ottawa Citizen
 columnist Wayne Scanlan
"Would the last man standing kindly turn out the lights? It is looking more and more as though Jason Spezza may be that guy for the Ottawa Senators. THE guy. It won't be centre Chris Kelly, the other forward with an "A" on his jersey. A few minutes after Ottawa's 4-3 shootout loss to the New York Islanders, Kelly was dealt to the Boston Bruins for a second-round pick. Just Tuesday morning, Spezza told me how close he was to Kelly, promoted to an alternate captain after the Mike Fisher trade. "We kind of bounce a lot of things off each other," Spezza said of Kelly. "And we both plan on being here now for a while. We want to try to figure out as much as we can how to make this team better"
Spezza wants to fix things
February 11
Ottawa Sun
 
"Jason Spezza wore an alternate captain's 'A' with Daniel Alfredsson out of the lineup nursing a back injury. After Thursday's big trade and Alfredsson shelved indefinitely, he should probably expect to have Mike Fisher's letter permanently affixed to his jersey. Probably even in time for the 500th game of his career, Saturday in Edmonton. In rebuild mode, GM Bryan Murray has not asked Spezza to waive his no-trade clause. No, he has suggested his No. 1 centre take on more of a leadership role. "No, I want to be part of the solution here," Spezza said when asked by reporters if he would welcome a move, given the circumstances. "I feel this team has a lot more potential than we're showing."
Spezza owns Sens
February 9
Ottawa Sun
 
"More than ever before it is apparent that the Senators are becoming Jason Spezza's team. Ottawa's top centre and offensive catalyst has returned from a six-week injury absence in full stride and, despite missing a total of 20 games to date, is still the best bet to lead the club in scoring this season. Currently, he's only nine points off the pace set by Daniel Alfredsson. "There's a lot of little areas he's done a very good job at," coach Cory Clouston said of the past two games for which he has had Spezza, who watched the Senators slip into oblivion with a 1-14 record in his absence. "He hasn't shown a lot of rust." Spezza didn't score his first night back, but he had four shots on goal"
Spezza happy to be back
February 6
Ottawa Sun
 
"Not exactly an NFL fanatic, Matt Carkner will nonetheless be one of the few Senators pulling for the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday. One of the reasons is because his road roommate, Chris Campoli, grew up rooting for the Green Bay Packers. Just wouldn't be right for him to side with his roomie, he figures. Another is that he's a fan of Steeler Troy Polamalu. "I like his hair," Carkner said of the flowing locks worn by Pittsburgh's star safety. "I was going to go for that look, but it's tough under the hockey helmet." Campoli, of course, is taking the Super Bowl far more seriously. "It could get pretty intense between him and I," he said of Carkner, before adding: "Not physically intense,"
Spezza set to give Sens offence a 'jolt'
February 4
Ottawa Sun
 
"Jason Spezza is ready to roll. The Senators centre took part in practice Thursday at Scotiabank Place and is set to return from the right shoulder injury he suffered Dec. 26 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Spezza will skate on a line with Nick Foligno and captain Daniel Alfredsson on Saturday night when the Senators start a four-game, eight-day road trip against the New York Islanders. "I feel good. I'm excited to get back," said Spezza, who has missed 15 games. "The guys haven't been doing well. You can see the effort is there, but we're just not finding ways to win games."
How do you like him now?
February 4
Ottawa Citizen
 
"To those of you who belong to the Let's Trade Jason Spezza Fan Club, here's a statistic to think about: 1-10-4. That's the record of the Ottawa Senators in the 15 games Spezza has missed since injuring his right shoulder during a Boxing Day game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Now, perhaps the argument can be made that Spezza wouldn't have made any difference, given how poorly the team has been playing. Maybe that would have been true. But you won't be able to convince coach Cory Clouston of that. Spezza's absence, said Clouston, only underscores his importance to the team. "He's an easy target," said Clouston."
Spezza set to return
February 4
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Jason Spezza, who has been out with an injury to his right shoulder, will be back in the lineup when the Ottawa Senators face the New York Islanders on Saturday night. Spezza will be on a line with Daniel Alfredsson and Nick Foligno. Foligno could be pressed into service to take faceoffs for that line if Spezza's shoulder is not strong enough to handle draws. Spezza said he's shooting pain-free but the verdict is still out on taking faceoffs. He'll see how he feels during the game."
Spezza eyes Isles for return
January 27
Ottawa Sun
 
"Jason Spezza is tentatively planning a trip to an Island — after the all-star break, not during. The Senators centre has circled the Feb. 5 game in Long Island as his probable return date from a shoulder injury that has kept him out of the last 13 games. The Senators have lost 12 of them. "I'm just going to get back and skate ... I'm going to need to take a couple of days of contact," said Spezza, whose team returns from the all-star break for a game in New Jersey Feb. 1 that is quickly followed up by a home game the next night vs. the Detroit Red Wings. "I probably won't play in the first two games, but then I'm hoping to get back after that. I've got to get hit a couple of times to see"
Spezza returns to practice
January 25
Ottawa Citizen
 
"The Ottawa Senators have had so little good news lately that Monday brought some optimism when Jason Spezza practised with the team. Out since Dec. 26 with a right shoulder injury, Spezza has been skating on his own for the past week. But on Monday, after doing a number of sprint drills with goalie coach Rick Wamsley, he stayed to practise with the team. Coach Cory Clouston said he expects Spezza to return after the all-star break, but didn't know exactly when. Ottawa's first game after the break is on Feb. 1 in New Jersey. Spezza said he's feeling better by the day. "It definitely felt good to get out with the guys and be a part of things a little bit," he said. "Hopefully, it will keep"
Spezza feels pain, wants to return soon
January 25
Ottawa Sun
 
"From an uncomfortable seat in the press box, Jason Spezza feels the pain his teammates are going through each night. It won't be long now before he's able to help them try and relieve it. The Senators, who have won just one of 12 games since Spezza suffered a shoulder injury on Boxing Day, were joined by their top centre for practice Monday. Spezza, who has been skating on his own the past week or so, is ahead of schedule and could be ready to play in one of the first games after the all-star break. The Senators have scored just 20 goals in the dozen games Spezza has missed — six of them were in one night."
Spezza on mend
January 20
Ottawa Sun
 
"Jason Spezza is proving to be a quick healer. The Senators centre, who has resumed skating and shooting the puck after suffering a shoulder injury on Dec. 26 against Pittsburgh, could be back earlier than expected. Coach Cory Clouston told reporters Wednesday morning that Spezza has made progress and there's a good chance he could return not long after the five-day all-star break ends on Jan. 30. "He's been taking some shots, not big slap shots, but he's ahead of schedule," said Clouston. "So that's a real positive. He's working hard. He's making sure his conditioning (is kept up). "It's one thing to go ride a bike and go out there and skate by yourself, but he's doing as much as possible."
Spezza won't need surgery, could return in a month
January 4
Ottawa Sun
 
"The swelling has gone down in Jason Spezza's injured shoulder and, as expected, the prognosis isn't as bad as it could have been. Coach Cory Clouston said Spezza will not need surgery and it's hoped he'll return to the lineup in 4-6 weeks. "Before, it was longer than that, but each day there's a little more optimism," said Clouston. "At first we were trying to see if he needed surgery and right now it doesn't appear that way, so that's a positive." The Senators have lost all three games and scored just four goals — three in one night — since Spezza went down. "Obviously, we've lost a pretty important part," said Clouston. "The last two games have been all about trying to find the players"
Junior Sen to fill in for Spezza
December 29
Ottawa Sun
 
"The Senators have recalled Zack Smith from their Binghamton farm team to fill the hole Jason Spezza's injury leaves on their roster. There was some thought to calling up former 67's star Corey Locke - who is second in AHL scoring - but for now, they'll elevate Peter Regin to a top line spot instead. Regin will centre Milan Michalek and Alex Kovalev when the Senators host the Carolina Hurricanes Wednesday night. Smith, who has seven goals, 12 points and 32 PIMs in 22 games for Bingo this season, will play on the fourth line with Jesse Winchester and Ryan Shannon."
Spezza won't play 'any time soon'
December 28
Ottawa Citizen
 
"For Jason Spezza, this season has hardly gone the way he had hoped it would. He came to training camp with high hopes, feeling good about himself and in the best shape of his career. But almost immediately everything started going sideways. He struggled along with the team, and only six games in he was sidelined for five games with a groin injury. Since then it has been a tough slog, and through 32 games he had been able to manage only nine goals and 11 assists. Now, just as he and the team appeared set to begin playing better, Spezza will be sidelined again. He'll be out for an indeterminate time with an injury to his right shoulder, suffered during the second period of Sunday's 3-1 win"
Spezza out with shoulder injury
December 28
Ottawa Sun
 
"Injured Senators centre Jason Spezza won't be playing anytime soon. The Senators centre suffered a right shoulder injury on a hit from Pittsburgh's Kris Letang Sunday and could be out for six weeks. Spezza emerged Monday wearing a sling and had a solemn look on his face. "I'm pretty disappointed. It's unfortunate," said Spezza."I knew right away and once I got off the ice I knew something was pretty bad." He said he's confident he won't need surgery and hopes to play again this year."
Spezza out with shoulder injury
December 27
Ottawa Sun
 
"Injured Senators centre Jason Spezza won't be playing anytime soon. The Senators centre suffered a right shoulder injury on a hit from Pittsburgh's Kris Letang Sunday and could be out for six weeks. Spezza emerged Monday wearing a sling and had a solemn look on his face. "I'm pretty disappointed. It's unfortunate," said Spezza."I knew right away and once I got off the ice I knew something was pretty bad." He said he's confident he won't need surgery and hopes to play again this year. Coach Cory Clouston said club officials won't know more for about another week. It's believed doctors have to wait for the swelling to go down to make a determination on whether surgery is required."
Shoulder injury fells Spezza indefinitely
December 27
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Jason Spezza will be gone long term with an injury to his right shoulder. It'll be at least a week before the seriousness of the injury is known and whether it requires surgery. Spezza was injured in the second period of Sunday's game against the Penguins when Kris Letang checked him headfirst into the boards. But he figures his shoulder will be OK without surgery. He's never hurt a shoulder before so he's in uncharted territory. He thinks the hit by Letang was "a little bit" dirty and is frustrated with the way the year has gone."
Spezza hurt in Senators' win
December 27
Ottawa Sun
 
"The Senators could be forced to move on without No. 1 centre Jason Spezza. While he registered two assists against the Penguins Sunday, Spezza left the game in tremendous pain and went quickly to the dressing room 2:57 into the second period holding his right arm after he was nailed into the boards by Pittsburgh defenceman Kris Letang. Senators coach Cory Clouston said an update on Spezza's status will be provided on Monday. "Jason (has an) upper body (injury). We'll know more (Monday)," said Clouston. "It's a physical game. I haven't looked at the (Letang) hit to give you comment on the hit, but you gotta be ready to take hits and give hits.""
Analyst calls Spezza 'a wimp'
December 18
Ottawa Sun
 
"Jason Spezza was hit with an Avalanche of criticism from a Colorado colour analyst. Former Avs winger Mark Rycroft, who suited up for 66 games with the Avalanche in 2006-07, fired shots in Spezza's direction on Altitude Sports, the club's broadcaster. "He's a wimp. He doesn't want to go in the corners. He wants easy points," Rycroft was quoted as saying on the Denver Post's website late Thursday in advance of the Senators-Avalanche tilt Friday."
Spezza owns up to his mistake
December 15
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Tuesday morning, Jason Spezza took ownership for the giveaway that led directly to the Ottawa Senators a 4-3 overtime loss to the Atlanta Thrashers on Monday. Spezza's attempted pass to Filip Kuba at the Thrashers blueline was intercepted by Bryan Little, who took off on a breakaway before beating Senators goaltender Brian Elliott, erasing many of the positives stemming from the Senators' comeback from a 3-0 deficit. "It's overtime, we're coming back, we've already got a point," Spezza said when asked to describe what happened. "I was trying to make something happen. I understand the consequences when it goes in the back of your net. I haven't made too many mistakes like that this year and"
Spezza's game is growing
November 21
Ottawa Sun
 
"The Senators needed a lift during a difficult week, so Jason Spezza took matters into his own hands to help bring up the spirits during an afternoon off in St. Louis. Anybody still questioning the ability or desire of the 27-year-old Spezza to be a leader for this franchise — and there are plenty of doubters — can close the book on that. The day after the Senators attended the memorial service for assistant coach Luke Richardson's daughter Daron, Spezza felt his teammates needed a break. So instead of having everybody head their separate ways, Spezza organized a trip to a St. Louis bowling alley the day before Ottawa closed out its four-game road trip with a game against the Blues. "It's"