[Rumor] Spezza/Meszaros for O. Jokinen/Bouwmeester

[Ned Flanders]

http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/fla080619.html

Another rumour spreading on forums and web sites.......Just like the Malkin rumours, I\'m not sure I can see Spezza getting traded. At the same time, short-term this trade doesn\'t seem to be a bad one for Ottawa, especially considering Alfredsson is getting up there in age and the window for competing for a cup is getting smaller.

Fantasy-wise, as a Jokinen AND Spezza owner, I\'d like Spezza to stay put (with Heatley) and would like to see Jokinen being dealt to a team with more talent (than Florida).

[angus]

edited the title.

Martin and Spezza never saw eye to eye in Ottawa. I don\'t get this deal.

[lanky522]

Yeah this is kind of weak...

I can understand why both teams could feasibly want to do this, but I just don\'t think it\'ll shake out. Seems like niether team really gains anything in the overall scheme.

Mez and Bouwmeester aren\'t that different, and while jokinen is a bit older/more experienced, he and spazz are similar in terms of potential and production too.

I think florida will be entering rebuilding mode if jokinen and bouwmeester were to leave town... Moving sideways isn\'t what they need...

I don\'t get this one either. Seems to be a wash, so why do it?

[primeau25]

Top flight young center for Tier 2 older star center, and tier 2 younger defenseman for top flight young defenseman.

Why? Unless Florida throws in a 1st round pick this year, none of that makes sense to me.

[justicemaker]

Why doesn\'t this make sense? Everyone rates players differently and even though both big name centres have similar production they are very different players. I would much rather have Jokinen on my team over Spezza.

Spezza is mostly a selfish player who does not play defense very well. High risk/high reward guy, whereas I think Jokinen would be a better leader although admittedly I have not seen him play that much. I have seen Spezza alot and he is soft, usually a peripheral player, but with great vision and super soft and skilled hands. Would rather have a grittier player who can drive to the net and go to the difficult areas of the ice and win battles and lead the troops in this way.

[DeathAndTaxes]

lanky is right. Martin never liked Spezza and he even sat him every other game in the playoffs a few years ago even though he was producing. Spezza couldn\'t find the way to his own end on a backcheck with a map and a compass and that doesn\'t suit Martin\'s style.

If he can stay healthy for a full season though he\'ll put up 100+ points and his best years are ahead of him so I wouldn\'t trade him for Jokinen.

I don\'t know if its because the draft is here in Ottawa but the rumours being thrown around the local media are crazy. Even if only a fraction of those pan out this weekend its going to be an interesting draft.

[tiantonio]

primeau25 wrote:

Top flight young center for Tier 2 older star center, and tier 2 younger defenseman for top flight young defenseman.

Why? Unless Florida throws in a 1st round pick this year, none of that makes sense to me.

Where is Florida going to get that 1st round pick??

He is starting in goal for them.