When Stars GM Jim Nill landed prized center Jason Spezza in an offseason trade with Ottawa, he expressed optimism that a contract extension would be forthcoming.
So far, though, no extension has been signed and Spezza, 31, remains a pending unrestricted free agent.
So...what’s going on?
“They’ve expressed that they want to talk [extension],” Spezza told ESPN.com. “And we have all intentions of talking. But it’s just I want to get comfortable first, and get started. It’s really not a big concern of mine right now. I’m not naive, I know as the season goes on it’ll become more of a talking point. But at this point, I’m just worried about playing and getting comfortable. If we start winning games, it’s going to be a good fit for both sides. It’s just a matter of getting comfortable first. There’s no point in rushing into anything.”
Obviously, there’s plenty of time to get a deal done. But if Spezza’s not locked up by the trade deadline, well, Stars fans have been down that road before, haven’t they.