from Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe,

Jason Spezza is the player Mika Zibanejad wants to become.

Like Spezza, Zibanejad was a first-round pick. They are right-shot, offensive-minded centers. They were teenagers when they made their NHL debuts with the Senators. They played together for parts of three seasons.

Zibanejad didn’t figure, however, that he’d have to become Spezza’s replacement this soon.

Ottawa is fighting for the playoffs. Craig Anderson has delivered ace goaltending. Kyle Turris and Clarke MacArthur are clicking as a dangerous combination.

But the Senators miss Spezza, the longtime Senator who is now finding his way as a first-year Star. They are not as good without their former captain, who wanted a change after 686 games as a Senator. The Stars had the cap room to absorb Spezza’s $7 million average annual value and the pieces to deliver a package that made the trade close to palatable for the Senators.

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