It’s official – Jason Spezza is a Toronto Maple Leaf

Reports came out earlier today that Jason Spezza was on his way to Toronto on a one year, $700k contract, and Leafs PR has made it official.

Spezza should need no introduction, as the former Senator and Star has managed to put up 332 goals and 915 points over the course of his 1065 game career. He’s coming off a year that saw him score 8 goals and 27 points in 76 games this season.

What this likely means for the Leafs is that Spezza will come in to shore their center depth next year. You no longer have to deal a second for Brian Boyle or Tomas Plekanec for a quality fourth line center, and if one of the big three gets hurt (or suspended) in the playoffs, it allows him to move up to be an okay third line center without having to put Nylander down there. This also probably means we don’t have to worry about Frederik Gauthier being on the roster all season.

It could also leave the potential for the Leafs to deal Kadri for another defenseman to shore up their top four on the blueline. I probably wouldn’t go that route, but I’d be a bit more comfortable making that deal now that Spezza is in the fold (as well as Nick Shore).