Ottawa Senators Signs Top Player

Prelude- If you're in Ottawa the signing of Jason Spezza is big news. Let's give you some some lines to use Monday morning.

Sport - Hockey

Event - Ottawa Senators sign Jason Spezza to a seven year contract extension worth $49 million.

Issue - It can now be said, that by keeping Spezza, Ottawa will be considered Stanley Cup contenders for a few more years yet. This is impressive as they have kept their key players in check for another four years while staying under the NHL's salary cap.

However, the core of any good team is a top line defenceman. For Ottawa, Wade Redden is that guy. But whether Ottawa will be able to keep Redden becomes the paramount question.

Point to Say - "What do you think of Ottawa Signing Spezza?"

Follow up point - "Do you think Ottawa will be able to keep Wade Redden?"

Backgrounder
Heatly, Spezza and Alfredsson currently form Ottawa' top line. They are the top three scorers on their team and form one of the leagues top offensive lines overall.

Key members the Ottawa Senators have recently issued long term contracts to including forwards Danny Heatly and Mike Fisher signed long term deals. If you add these deals to the signings of captain Daniel Afredsson, defenceman Chris Phillips and goalie Ray Emery, the Sens now have secured key members of last years Stanley Cup finalist team.

Ottawa's 2008-2009 currently committed salary is $42.5 million. The current NHL salary Cap is $50 million. With the recent round of signings, there is only so much left to spend. But, Wade Redden is scheduled to become a free agent after this season. Meaning, it is speculated in the media that he would have to take a pay cut to stay with his current team.

Links
Bio of Spezza.
Bio of Redden.
Link to full article on signing from the Globe and Mail.