Analysis: Spezza handled a diminished role with class in his final years with the Dallas Stars, Thursday’s opponent, and that has served him well over three seasons in Toronto.
When he suits up Thursday night against the Dallas Stars, the 38-year-old“I had five good years there in Dallas,”“It’s a great place to play. Hockey fans are incredible there. I really enjoyed my time there. We got close a couple of times, some Game 7s in the second round. Have some good friends there, so I’m excited to go back to Dallas and play.”
“You have to keep yourself ready and stay fresh,” said Spezza, nicknamed Vintage by his teammates, “and you make sure that when you play, you play well.” Spezza made it to the Stanley Cup final with the Senators in 2007 — which is more than many can say — but time isn’t just running out for his championship hopes. The Leafs’ window could be closing sooner than you might think.