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Jason Spezza bullish on NHL's return, Maple Leafs' future success
It’s no secret that perspective builds over time, and it’s no different with Jason Spezza.
The Toronto Maple Leafs veteran centre offered it in abundance during his scheduled conference call with reporters on Tuesday afternoon, speaking to a range of topics as the NHL season remains paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A self-described eternal optimist, Spezza doesn’t just believe that the NHL will have the opportunity to pick up where it left off, but that the unforeseen circumstances facing the league and world at large might even offer a competitive advantage to the Leafs if and when they can resume the season.
“Youth helps probably,” he said, explaining that players will be in better physical shape than on-ice shape. “Young guys can bounce back quickly. (That) sets us up well.”
Besides the easy initiation with the move from couch to the rink, however, Spezza says it’s the up, down and even “sideways” season that will prepare the Leafs for success when they reconvene.
Spezza believes the hardships brought a whole new level of maturity to the group. He said the bumpy road necessitated that players had the real, productive, and grown-up discussions they didn’t need to have in previous seasons.
“As much as it sucks to struggle and answer questions from the media and endure losing streaks, it will only help us,” Spezza said.
What Spezza also believes will play into the Leafs’ hand is the fact that this hiatus will allow for unique reflection.
The players can look back on the trials and tribulations and run through their own individual self-evaluations through the lens of opportunity, rather than disappointment.
“(It’s) the chance to look back on the season without having to look back on a playoff loss,” he said.
Spezza’s ability to process and compartmentalize his own difficulties is likely the reason he was able to turn in a successful debut season for his hometown team.
By no fault of his own, the veteran walked into a strangely contentious working relationship with former head coach Mike Babcock. His intentions and abilities were questioned through the media, and he was scratched on opening night — in his first chance to be on the opposite side of the Battle of Ontario — for no reason other than the fact that Babcock wished to send him a message.
It forced Spezza into survival mode, and to take it one day, one practice, and one game at a time.
“It was not the start I envisioned, but I just had the mentality that I would stay in the fight,” Spezza said, adding, “I didn’t give myself the option to feel sorry for myself.”
Several weeks into the disappointing start, Babcock was let go and Spezza soon found himself as a mainstay in Sheldon Keefe’s lineup, and the one general manager Kyle Dubas likely envisioned. The veteran had nine goals and 25 points in 58 games before the brakes were pumped on the season, and he had been moving up and down the lineup as Keefe saw fit.
That positive relationship between Spezza and Keefe has continued into this hiatus, where the coach has delivered some instruction on areas he can improve.
While there’s no promise Spezza will be able to apply these learnings this season, every indication is that the pending unrestricted free agent will have that opportunity next year at least.
Spezza stated that he still believes that he has a lot of game left, and that he didn’t want to play anywhere else other than Toronto.
“I’m in it as long as I can be for the chance to win that Stanley Cup,” Spezza said.
“That’s my driving force.”
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