Ottawa Senators' Jason Spezza lunges for the puck during first period NHL hockey action against the Montreal Canadiens in Montreal, Friday, March 23, 2012. Spezza is on his way to Switzerland.The Ottawa Senators forward has signed on with Rapperswil-Jona for the duration of the NHL lockout, joining fellow Canadians Logan Couture (Geneva-Servette) and Rick Nash and Joe Thornton (HC Davos) in the Swiss A League. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
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2012-09-19 08:53:00
Jason Spezza is on his way to Switzerland.
The Ottawa Senators forward has signed on with Rapperswil-Jona for the duration of the NHL lockout, joining fellow Canadians Logan Couture (Geneva-Servette) and Rick Nash and Joe Thornton (HC Davos) in the Swiss A League.
Spezza is coming off a strong season with the Sens, where he scored 34 goals and 84 points in 80 games.
The 29-year-old spent the 2004-05 lockout in the American Hockey League—winning the MVP award—and indicated last week that he'd talked to a number of players who went to Europe during that lost season.
"A lot of guys went over last time and played and enjoyed it," said Spezza. "And I think that message has kind of trickled down."
The NHL lockout entered its fourth day with no formal meetings scheduled between the league and NHL Players' Association. The sides last sat down together on Sept. 12.
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"Probably not. Their depth and our play right now...it doesn't look too good."
- Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson, when asked if his team could come back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Pittsburgh Penguins.