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Vegas Golden Knights: Making a case for Jason Spezza

By Andrew Steele-Davis

DALLAS, TX - MAY 1: Jason Spezza #90 of the Dallas Stars skates against the St. Louis Blues in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the American Airlines Center on May 1, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - MAY 1: Jason Spezza #90 of the Dallas Stars skates against the St. Louis Blues in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the American Airlines Center on May 1, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – FEBRUARY 24: Jason Spezza #90 of the Dallas Stars reacts after scoring against the Chicago Blackhawks in the third period at the United Center on February 24, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – FEBRUARY 24: Jason Spezza #90 of the Dallas Stars reacts after scoring against the Chicago Blackhawks in the third period at the United Center on February 24, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Jason Spezza has announced his intention to play at least one more year in the NHL – could he be a suitable fit for the Vegas Golden Knights?

Spezza has put off any retirement plans for now but will hit unrestricted free agency on July, 1 for the very first time in his career after agreeing to part ways with the Dallas Stars. The veteran center still has plenty to offer and he could be an intriguing option for the Vegas Golden Knights.

As we’ve discussed in great detail already, the Golden Knights aren’t in the market for a huge star in free agency this offseason, so rule out any potential moves for blockbuster names in the ilk of Artemi Panarin or Erik Karlsson.

No, the Knights have already gone down that road with the signings of Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone and, with not a lot of wriggle room left when it comes to the salary cap, any additions the franchise do make this summer will be of the more modest variety.

Related Story. VGK should go after Marcus Johansson. light

But that is fine and dandy because every Stanley Cup contender needs a glut of role players and Vegas already has their array of stars in place. Any tinkering to the roster now will be just small subtle changes in order to help push this team over the finishing line in the postseason.

It is crucial for any franchise in the NHL with aspirations of winning a championship to be able to boast secondary scoring and there are a number of players available in free agency this summer that would act as smart and cheap pickups for the Golden Knights.

You only have to look at the Boston Bruins to know how effective and even season-altering bolstering the bottom of your lineup can be. They added Marcus Johansson and Charlie Coyle at the trade deadline and both players have played big roles in helping the franchise to their third Stanley Cup Finals in just nine years.

This is where Jason Spezza comes in.

The NHL veteran will hit the open market this summer and could represent a great option for a contender needing a dash of grit and a dollop of experience, among other things. We’ve thrashed out the pros and cons when it comes to the Vegas Golden Knights signing the second overall pick in the 2001 NHL Draft.

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