The Leafs could be setting Spezza up to follow in the footsteps of Mike Fisher and ''Mr. Game 7'' Justin Williams
When Jason Spezza retired, he said that not winning a Cup and not hitting 1000 points was a "bit of an incomplete report card" and many Leaf fans were disappointed he didn't get those last 5 points to join the 1000 point club. He has immediately joined the front office alongside Kyle Dubas as a Special Assistant, learning as much as he can about the management side of the business. However, could he pull a Mike Fisher and rejoin the Leafs on the ice at the Trade Deadline?
If you remember, Mike Fisher retired and then at the Trade Deadline in 2018 signed a 1-year deal with Nashville for one last go at a Stanley Cup. It didn't work out so well for him or the Preds, but it was worth a shot. It was simpler for him though as he wasn't in the team's front office prior and had been training by himself. For Spezza to do it a lot of pieces would have to fall into place.
"Mr. Game 7" himself, Justin Williams, did something similar with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2019-20 as well. Unlikely Fisher, however, Williams got just 7 games out of his final playoff run, while Fisher at least got 12 games from his.
For this to happen, first, the Leafs would need to have a stranglehold on a playoff position to even think of giving Spezza a shot at 1000 points and a Cup as a player. Second, the Leafs would have to have the cap space and roster spot available, which would mean putting Spezza ahead of other Leaf prospects like Joey Anderson who could be playing in Spezza's former fourth line role and that does not appear to be something Dubas wants to do this season. He was very clear when speaking to the media at the season ending press conference that he wants to see prospects battle, compete and win roster spots and it would be against his nature to take away a hard earned spot to hand it over to a guy for nostalgic reasons. Thirdly, is that even allowed? Is a front office member allowed to sign a player contract and be "player coach" nowadays? I'm not clear on the rules there.
Scrolling through social media, Spezza not hitting 1000 points seems to be more upsetting to Leaf fans than Spezza himself. He may not have gotten to 1000 points or won a Cup as a player, but he will have a pretty good chance of winning a Cup as an executive one day. Hopefully it happens with the Leafs.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 2 | 308 ANSWERS The Leafs could be setting Spezza up to follow in the footsteps of Mike Fisher and ''Mr. Game 7'' Justin Williams Will Spezza sign a deal with the Leafs at the deadline for one more chance at a Cup? | ||
| Yes | 154 | 50 % |
| No | 79 | 25.6 % |
| There are too many variables to be sure | 75 | 24.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
