Dallas Stars Get Senators Captain Jason Spezza In 5-Player Deal
FRISCO, Texas (AP) - Jason Spezza is headed to the Dallas Stars in a trade a few days after the Ottawa captain turned down a deal that would have sent him to Nashville.
The Senators granted the 31-year-old Spezza's wish to be dealt, acquiring Stars forward Alex Chiasson on Tuesday along with prospects Alex Guptill and Nicholas Paul and a second-round pick in next year's draft. Dallas also receives prospect Ludwig Karlsson.
Spezza, who is set to be an unrestricted free agent next summer, had asked for a trade and general manager Bryan Murray said he would try to accommodate him.
The 11-year veteran has spent his entire career with Ottawa and has a limited no-trade clause. Spezza turned down a deal with Nashville during last weekend's draft, leading to a trade with Dallas that was finalized just before the start of free agency.
Spezza figures to join 22-year Tyler Seguin as the top two centers for Dallas. The Stars got Seguin in a trade with Boston last summer.
"I couldn't be more thrilled with the young group they have," Spezza said. "I think I can really add to that team."
In his only season as Ottawa's captain, Spezza was the team's top-scoring forward with 23 goals and 43 assists. He replaced Daniel Alfredsson, who left for the Detroit Red Wings last summer.
By trading Spezza, the Senators clear $7 million in salary cap space, taking back only $900,000 for Chiasson. But Spezza will only count $4 million against the Dallas cap in the final year of the deal.
Chiasson, a 23-year-old winger, became the seventh player since 1943-44 with nine or more goals in his first 10 games when he carried over a hot start from 2012-13 into last season. He has 19 goals and 23 assists in 86 career games.
The 22-year-old Guptill is a third-round pick by Dallas in 2010 and spent three seasons at the University of Michigan before playing five games for the AHL's Texas Stars.
Paul, a 19-year-old winger, was a fourth-rounder in 2013.
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