Senators re-sign C Spezza to seven-year deal

Nov 2, 2007 - 5:12 PM OTTAWA (Ticker) - The Ottawa Senators locked up one of their franchise cornerstones Friday, re-signing center Jason Spezza to a seven-year contract.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but TSN of Canada is reporting the deal to be worth $49 million.

"Jason Spezza is a great example of what the future holds for the Ottawa Senators and our fans," owner Eugene Melnyk said. "Without question, Jason belongs here in Ottawa and he continues to be an integral part of our organization's long-term plans."

The move keeps one of the best lines in the NHL intact for the foreseeable future.

Spezza, Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfredsson have combined to scored a league-best 225 goals over the past two seasons. Spezza had a career-high 34 tallies last year while Heatley scored 50 to become the first player since Pavel Bure (2000-01) to record back-to-back 50-goal seasons.

Ottawa also locked up Heatley last month as the left wing agreed to a six-year contract worth $45 million. Alfredsson is signed through 2012.

Spezza, who was scheduled to become a restricted free agent after this season, has a goal and 12 assists for the Senators (10-1-0) this season.

The 24-year-old has registered 83 goals and 183 assists in 256 regular-season games since joining the team in 2002. Spezza had career highs in assists (71) and points (90) in 2005-06.

Drafted second overall by Ottawa in 2001, Spezza has been in the Senators' top four in scoring in each of his last three seasons and the NHL's top 15 during the last two.

Spezza has collected 13 goals and 38 points in 36 career playoff games. He was tied for first in team scoring with linemates Alfredsson and Heatley - 22 points - during the Senators' run to the Stanley Cup Finals last spring.