Babcock pulled “the biggest sign of disrespect” in Leafs season opener last night

Fans were stunned last night when they found out that free agent addition Jason Spezza would not suit up for the Toronto Maple Leafs in their season opening game against the Ottawa Senators.

This had to be a tough pill to swallow for the veteran Spezza who grew up as a Leafs fan in nearby Mississauga, Ontario and specifically signed a one year deal to play for his childhood team.

However, Spezza - as we all expected - took the decision as a true professional. 

“I’d by lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed but I’m also a professional.”

However, former Leafs player and TSN host Carlo Colaiacovo couldn’t believe it - still on Thursday morning following Toronto’s 5-3 over the Senators - and blame head coach Mike Babcock for it. 

“It comes down to one word - respect, and that was the biggest sign of disrespect when it came to Jason Spezza not playing yesterday”. 

He wasn’t the only one from TSN to be disturbed with head coach Mike Babcock’s decision to sit Spezza out. Check out this quote from former Leafs player and TSN 1050 co-host Jeff I’Neill:

“I quite frankly think it’s a joke. I mean Jason Spezza signed for peanuts to play here. He shows up early to help out with the young guys and then you put that in his face. And another thing going forward, in the next five years they’re going to have to look for players to sign for nothing just like Jason Spezza did. And when (potential signings) see that message, they might say, ‘screw that, why would I want to put myself through that?’ “

“He decided to come here and play a role and you’re telling me Jason Spezza can’t go out on the ice and help dominate the fourth line of the Ottawa Senators. And you use the excuse that he’s got to brush up on his penalty kill?”

Babcock should have done better! 

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