Mixed emotions for P.E.I.'s Jordan Spence after trade to Ottawa Senators
Article content
The Los Angeles Kings traded Spence to the Ottawa Senators for a 2025 third-round draft choice and a sixth-round pick in 2026.
Article content
Article content
'Just being in L.A. for so long and them actually calling and telling me that I got traded, it was kind of just like a reality check on a lot of emotions that went through my mind,' the 24-year-old Spence told The Guardian in a phone interview on June 28. 'But, at the same time, I found myself (knowing) that it could happen after the season. So once that happened it was unfortunate, but, at the same time, I am really excited to be able to play in Ottawa now.'
Article content
Article content
The five-foot-11, 192-pound Spence, from Cornwall, P.E.I., spent parts of the last four seasons with the Kings, who drafted the defenceman in the fourth round, 95th overall, in 2019.
Article content
Article content
Spence became a regular in Los Angeles two years ago, recording 24 points in 71 regular-season games during the 2023-24 campaign and 28 points in 79 regular-season games this past season.
Article content
'The past couple of years, I think I've showcased well, during the season to be able to play as a two-way defenceman,' said Spence. 'I've played power play and unfortunately, I did not really get to play penalty kill.
Article content
'I just want to be the type of defenceman that can be relied on in all situations. That's my end goal, to be honest, and if I play my game, if I do well and, just really stick to what I can do on the ice, I think I can fit really well into their system and into their team.'
Article content
Article content
Article content
ADVANTAGES
Article content
Article content
Article content
Spence, although disappointed to be leaving Los Angeles, said there are advantages to the trade.
Article content
One is geographically as Ottawa is considerably closer to P.E.I. Spence joked he will now be back living through good old-fashioned Canadian winters after living in California.
Article content
'At the end of the day, I'm still really excited to be going to Ottawa and having that opportunity to maybe play a bigger role,' said Spence, who was born in Australia. 'I just want to come to camp ready. I just want to have a big summer, work on the things that I have to work on, and then, just be ready to have a big season.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Edmonton Journal
30 minutes ago
- Edmonton Journal
NHL Free Agency Live: Canucks extended Demko, Garland but can they do anything else major?
Article content Where's Brock Boeser going to wind up? That's the biggest question for Vancouver Canucks fans as NHL free agency opens this morning, and one of the more pertinent questions for the entire league. This was always going to be a lower-key free agent class, and it has lost some of its star power with teams re-signing players over the last few days. Article content The Canucks have offered up some news for fans already this morning, extending goaltender Thatcher Demko and winger Conor Garland. According to PuckPedia, they have $7.03 million on the cap this season. Article content Boeser, 28, was a cap hit of $6.65 million over three seasons on the contract that expired at the end of this season. He's been linked to various teams over the past few days. Check back here during the day for updates on free agency. 8:09 a.m. Add the Ottawa Senators to the list of the teams in play for Brock Boeser. The #Sens will show some level of interest in Brock Boeser and Tanner Jeannot today #FreeAgentFrenzy — Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) July 1, 2025 Oil Spills Essential Oilers news, insight, opinion and analysis. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content Article content 7:59 a.m. Logan Stankoven was one of the best guys ever to deal with when he was coming through the WHL with his hometown Kamloops Blazers. He's an easy person to root for. Sources say Logan Stankoven's extension with #Canes will come in at 8 years x $6 million. @MatiszJohn first to report that they were close. — Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 1, 2025 Article content 7:11 a.m. Fun fact brought to you by Cam Robinson. We'll just leave this here. In 2026-27, Vancouver will be paying Demko, Garland, and Lankinen a combined ~20M Florida will be paying Tkachuk, Ekblad and Marchand the same. — Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) July 1, 2025 Article content 6 a.m. The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Vegas Golden Knights have made the Mitch Marner trade officially official. Marner, 28, has reportedly signed an eight-year, $96-million deal. Details: #VegasBorn — Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) July 1, 2025 Article content Latest National Stories
CTV News
30 minutes ago
- CTV News
Maple Leafs ship Mitch Marner to Vegas Golden Knights in sign-and-trade deal
Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitch Marner (16) scores during overtime NHL hockey action to defeat the Edmonton Oilers 4-3, in Toronto, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov Mitch Marner both dazzled and frustrated Maple Leafs fans across nine roller-coaster seasons. The local kid dreamt of pulling on the Original Six franchise's blue-and-white jersey and starring under his hometown's intense spotlight. Now he's exiting stage left, his long march out the door complete. The Leafs officially shipped the skilled winger to the Vegas Golden Knights for centre Nicolas Roy on Tuesday in a sign-and-trade deal that brings an end to Marner's time in Toronto — and the so-called 'Core 4' that was never able to get the club over its playoff hump. Marner, 28, agreed to an eight-year, US$96-million extension with his now-former team before the swap was completed. He would have only been able to sign a seven-year contract on the NHL's open market had he hit unrestricted free agency at noon ET. The Leafs also announced Tuesday they have re-signed pending restricted free agency forward Matthew Knies to a six-year, $46.5-million extension — a deal that was widely reported over the weekend. The 22-year-old Phoenix product registered 29 goals and 29 assists for 58 points in his second full NHL season playing on the top line alongside Marner and Auston Matthews. Roy, who's heading into the final year of a contract that pays him $3 million annually, had 31 points (15 goals, 16 assists) in 71 games last season. The native of Amos, Que., has put up 166 points (68 goals, 98 assists) in 369 career regular-season games. The 28-year-old Roy has 32 points (10 goals, 22 assists) in 79 playoff games, including the 11 he produced as part of the Knights' victory in the 2023 Stanley Cup final. Arguably the most talented local player to ever don Leafs colours, Marner had exceptional regular-season success alongside a four-headed star forward group made up of Matthews, William Nylander and John Tavares. He registered 102 points in 2024-25 and hit 90 on three other occasions thanks to incredible vision, on-ice smarts and a magical set of hands. All told, Marner had 741 points (221 goals, 520 assists) in 657 regular-season games, where he excelled at both ends of the rink. Apart from breathtaking offensive ability, Marner also took care of his own zone and was a key penalty killer, finishing seventh in Selke Trophy voting this season as the league's top defensive forward. The playoffs, however, were a stunningly different story. Marner, who inked a six-year contract extension with Toronto worth more than $65 million in September 2019, became the focus among a rabid fan base in the game's biggest media market for the team's post-season shortfalls. The No. 4 pick at the 2015 draft produced 63 points (13 goals, 50 assists) in 70 playoff contests, but the Leafs made the second round just twice in his nine seasons. In Games 5, 6 and 7 from 2017 through 2025, Marner scored just once and added 10 assists in 26 contests. There was, however, plenty of blame to be shared as the Leafs managed just two wins in 11 series in the Matthews-Marner era. Toronto has lost all six Game 7s it's played since 2018, but also fell to the eventual Cup winner or runner-up five times. Marner's last contract — a pact negotiated by former team president Brendan Shanahan and general manager Kyle Dubas that pushed him close to an annual compensation of $11 million — included a full no-movement clause over its final two seasons. It's believed Toronto attempted to deal Marner to the Carolina Hurricanes for fellow star forward Mikko Rantanen ahead of the March 2025 trade deadline, but he blocked the move. It's also been widely reported that he declined to negotiate with current GM Brad Treliving on a contract extension throughout the 2024-25 season. Asked point-blank if he wished to stay with the Leafs following May's second-round playoff exit when Toronto fell in seven games to the Florida Panthers — a group that would go on to hoist its second straight Stanley Cup — it was what Marner didn't say that spoke volumes. 'I've always loved my time here, I've loved being here,' he said at the time. 'I've been so grateful.' Marner's bags now packed, Sin City awaits. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 1, 2025.
CBC
33 minutes ago
- CBC
Canucks sign goalie Thatcher Demko, winger Conor Garland to extensions
All-star goalie Thatcher Demko and winger Conor Garland are staying in Vancouver, signing extensions with the Canucks on Tuesday. Demko inked a three-year, $25.5-million US deal, while Garland signed a six-year, $36-million contract. Both players are heading into the final season of five-year contracts and were set to become unrestricted free agents next summer. Demko, 29, is coming off an injury-plagued 2024-25 campaign where he posted a 10-8-3 record with a .889 save percentage, a 2.90 goals-against average and one shutout. The six-foot-four, 192-pound goalie from San Diego, Calif., was named a finalist for last year's Vezina Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL's top goaltender, after going 35-14-2 with a .918 save percentage and a 2.45 GAA during the 2023-204 campaign. The performance helped Vancouver clinch first place in the Pacific Division and earn a spot in the playoffs. Demko suffered an injury to the popliteus muscle in his left knee during Game 1 of the team's first-round series against the Nashville Predators. He did not play again until Dec. 10. "Thatcher is one of the top goalies in the National Hockey League and a key leader in our locker room," Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said in a statement. "Demmer is one of the hardest-working players on our team and gives our group great confidence when he takes the net. A complete package of size, strength, rebound control, and athletic ability, our players know that they have an opportunity to win each and every game he plays." Garland put up 50 points (19 goals, 31 assists) for the Canucks this past season and won gold with the U.S. at the men's world hockey championship in May. The 29-year-old winger from Scituate, Mass., has played the last four years in Vancouver after being acquired from the Arizona Coyotes alongside defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson in July 2021. "Conor is a core member of our hockey team and a player who has taken on a bigger role with the club the past couple seasons," Allvin said. "He competes hard every day, drives play on the ice, is relentless on the forecheck and is really tough to play against. Gars is an emerging leader in the group and works extremely hard to keep himself and the players around him accountable."
