Spezza Appreciation Thread

[Trapper]

If Spezza's fight had an impact on the team can we say it's the greatest fight in Maple Leafs history?

Greatest fight no.
But I hope it provides an understanding of you aren’t going to just “skill” your way to a Cup.
Skill took over for us in the last 5 minutes. But you needed grit, intensity, forecheck at all times in the first 55.
Spezza respect right here though.

 

[4thline]

Paraphrasing myself from last night

It's quite possible that the impact of Jason Spezza's play in this series (and last night) will go far beyond this playoff and play a big role in the maturation of the core. This is a guy that was centre Marner/Nylander, that was Matthews lite. A top offensive player in the league that in his prime never really "got it" it terms of intensity,that fell short on the powerhouse offensive team and is now chasing championship dreams as a depth player.

Can you imagine how impactful prime Jason Spezza would have been playing with this same fire and willingness to get dirty? Does it win Ottawa a cup? Having a guy sitting cupless at 37 having that realization is one hell of a message to our kids.

 

[Clark4Ever]

Love him.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Spez almost knocked him out with that one shot
Wouldn’t want him beat up but no worries there he was twerkin that big bomb right in to that kisser sires

 

[crump]

Still has a hell-of-a-shot too. Was never big fan, but always respected his shot and skill. Now he has just added another layer to that..as it is true that he bleeds blue and white now. Great moment. Lets hope it was a series changer.

 

[TorMapleJays]

Went to a game just before the stop.

Ottawa At Toronto.

he was by far our best player that game. Leafs won 2-1. He scored. He was dangerous all night.

He deserves every minute Keefe gives him.

Dubas has to see what this team lacks. That fourth line is grit. They can keep it in the Ozone and get rest for the top players to come back and get the job done.

 

[ruaware41]

If Spezza's fight had an impact on the team can we say it's the greatest fight in Maple Leafs history?

Why do we have to be like this every time we witness a good play and add so much unnecessary pressure? It's so unnecessary, so over the top. It's an elimination non series clinching game in "round 0" of the playoffs. If that's the best they've ever offered that's awfully sad for a team that's been around as long as they have. It's not like the Leafs rallied right after that but got scored on again. Just enjoy a good display of heart instead of falling to recency bias and best this or best that

 

[Bomber0104]

Mad respect for Spezza for what he did.

Almost brought a tear to my eye!

 

[The Podium]

I think the fight was an "Oh f***" moment for the big 4. Spezza is them 10 years from now, if they dont win theyll end up 4th line goons chasing a cup.

Thats not supposed to be a knock on Spezza. He has won the hearts of Leaf fans everywhere with his game last night which is big considering he was public enemy #2 around here a decade ago.

 

[Gallagbi]

Loved the heart he showed, but we played another lifeless period after that fight and gave up a big unforced goal.

I don't think they randomly remembered a fight from the second period to spark them late.

 

[kb]

Loved the heart he showed, but we played another lifeless period after that fight and have up a big unforced goal.

I don't think they randomly remembered a fight from the second period to spark them late.

Game 2, Clifford destroys Kukan with an early, tone-setting hit, and the Leafs win handily. Game 4 Leafs are down, and have no life or momentum so Spezza dukes it out with Kukan, and Leafs win with a stunning comeback. He showed that he was willing to do anything at all to win. It doesn't mean that it had to wake the team up right away. But it's something that could be pointed to for the rest of the game....and probably was.

2 vets with tons of experience knowing what to do. Invaluable.

 

[LeafChief]

Love me some Spezz.

 

[Gallagbi]

Game 2, Clifford destroys Kukan with an early, tone-setting hit, and the Leafs win handily. Game 4 Leafs are down, and have no life or momentum so Spezza dukes it out with Kukan, and Leafs win with a stunning comeback. He showed that he was willing to do anything at all to win. It doesn't mean that it had to wake the team up right away. But it's something that could be pointed to for the rest of the game....and probably was.

2 vets with tons of experience knowing what to do. Invaluable.

They did what they had to and that's great, but there wasn't a real spark from it. The intensity pushed up for a few minutes and we had a few scrums, then it fizzled by the end of the period.

Awesome for Spezza to make that effort and happy he did, but it didn't turn things around

 

[kb]

They did what they had to and that's great, but there wasn't a real spark from it. The intensity pushed up for a few minutes and we had a few scrums, then it fizzled by the end of the period.

Awesome for Spezza to make that effort and happy he did, but it didn't turn things around

You can't say it didn't....I am sure that was a rallying point no matter what.

 

[Morbo]

Giggles did alright in the scrap too.

 

[4thline]

Giggles did alright in the scrap too.

 

[LeafsNation75]

Why do we have to be like this every time we witness a good play and add so much unnecessary pressure? It's so unnecessary, so over the top. It's an elimination non series clinching game in "round 0" of the playoffs. If that's the best they've ever offered that's awfully sad for a team that's been around as long as they have. It's not like the Leafs rallied right after that but got scored on again. Just enjoy a good display of heart instead of falling to recency bias and best this or best that

Until last night when was the last time a Leafs player had a legit fight in a playoff game and it wasn't because of a dirty hit?

 

[nofehr]

Much respect and appreciation for what Spezza has done for us this year!

 

[Gabriel426]

Mad respect to Spezz for that. The kids need to see that.

 

[6stringmofo]

This guy deserves his own thread.

Whatever happens this play-in/offs, Spezza has been great all season.

Never thought I'd say that given his association with the Sens way back but wow.

He's the father of this team. And he's better than Marleau sorry not sorry.

My favorite Senators of all time, I hate you guys hah, but I would love to see him raise the cup.

 

[67Leafs67]

Can't believe that egotistical buffoon scratched him in the opener in some absurd showing of power and control. What a fantastic pickup by Dubas for league minimum. Not only proving to be a fantastic leader, but also, he's still got game. His line was really dangerous, and he scored at a good clip for a bottom six player this season.

 

[LeafsNation75]

Can't believe that egotistical buffoon scratched him in the opener in some absurd showing of power and control. What a fantastic pickup by Dubas for league minimum. Not only proving to be a fantastic leader, but also, he's still got game. His line was really dangerous, and he scored at a good clip for a bottom six player this season.

Let's not forget in training camp Babcock said he didn't know what Spezza's role would be. I remember thinking to myself he's still younger compared to Patrick Marleau and Babcock had no problems finding a regular spot for him in the lineup.

 

[HellasLEAF]

They were really throwing them in that scrap no holding back.

 

[shaner8989]

Absolutely love him

 

[ponder]

I’ve been loving his game all year. Hope he signs for another 1-2 years, though it’ll have to be near league minimum again, as we’ve got crazy cap trouble coming up. But I’d very much like to see a Clifford/Spezza/Barbanov 4th line next year, if we can bring back Clifford too.