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Spezza, however, only has a list of 10 teams he can’t be traded to. He has only one year and $4 million remaining on his contract and his new team will have control of his future. The likely asking price is a player, a prospect and a top draft pick.

While it makes some sense that the Toronto Maple Leafs might have an interest in bringing Spezza home — the Maple Leafs have never found a true number one centre — there’s little chance Murray would trade him to the Senators’ arch rivals. The Senators GM would also be relunctant to trade within the division, for fear of Spezza coming back to burn the Senators. (For reference purposes, see Ben Bishop and Tampa Bay Lightning)

Keep all that in mind while considering these potential homes for the captain.

St. Louis Blues

Why would this make sense? In their disappointing first round playoff exit, the Blues scored only 2.3 goals per game (14th of 16 teams) and their power play operated at a dreadful 6.9 per cent success rate. Spezza, meanwhile, has scored at a point per game pace throughout his career and is one of the NHL’s best power play players.

The Blues have only seven forwards signed to guaranteed NHL contracts (Vladimir Tarasenko is still on his entry-level contract) and centres Derek Roy and Steve Ott are pending unrestricted free agents.

What would the Senators want in return? Patrik Berglund, a 6-4, 215-pound centre selected 25th overall in the 2006 NHL entry draft, took a step back in 2013-14, scoring 14 goals and 18 assists in 78 games, after netting 17 goals and eight assists in 48 games in 2012-13. Berglund, a pending restricted free agent, had a shoulder injury in the playoffs. Defenceman Ian Cole, who struggled to find playing time on the deep Blues defence, has one year and $825,000 remaining on his contract. Cole was drafted 18th overall in 2007.