Senators C Spezza practices, eyes return vs. Sabres

Nov 12, 2007 - 10:35 PM OTTAWA (Ticker) -- The high-powered Ottawa Senators look to be getting a key cog back in their lineup.

Senators center Jason Spezza practiced with the team Monday for the first time since suffering a groin injury on October 31.

Spezza missed Ottawa's past six games but eyes Thursday's game against the Buffalo Sabres as a possible return.

"It felt good to skate with the guys," Spezza said. "(Playing Thursday) is my goal. It's still a few days away, but hopefully it can get better than it is now and I'll be ready to go."

Spezza's possible return was good news for captain Daniel Alfredsson.

"It's good to see he's getting closer (to a return)," Alfredsson said. "We're all hoping he's going to come back this week."

Ottawa coach John Paddock watched practice and wondered if conditioning would be a problem for Spezza.

"He did more constant skating (in practice) than he will in any game," Paddock said. "But there's still a difference. When you're playing in a game for real, you stride a little bit harder, you stop a little bit quicker.

"That's where he'll have to make sure he's comfortable about what he's able to do."

Spezza has one goal and 12 assists to help Eastern Conference-leading Ottawa win nine of its first 10 games this season. He signed a seven-year contract extension on November 2 reportedly worth $49 million.

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.