OTTAWA - For the second straight year the Ottawa Senators have lost their captain on the opening day of NHL free agency. The Senators traded Jason Spezza, who was coming off his first year as captain, to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday for winger Alex Chiasson along with prospects Alex Guptill, Nicholas Paul and a second-round pick in 2015. Ottawa prospect Ludwig Karlsson was also part of the trade. Last year the Senators bid farewell to longtime captain Daniel Alfredsson after he chose to sign with the Detroit Red Wings. News of Spezzas departure was much less shocking to Senators fans, as the 31-year-old had requested a trade following the end of the season. It was a combination of things and the fact I have one year left on my deal, said Spezza, when asked for the reasons behind the trade request. Only having one year left on my contract I thought it was fair talking to Bryan (Murray) now so we dont get into a situation next year where were always talking about if Im extending or why Im not extending or whats going on moving forward. I felt like it was best for me to move on and this was the appropriate time to take care of all this through the summer so that I can have a fresh start during the season and move on and the team can move on as well. Senators general manager Bryan Murray acknowledged this was a very difficult deal to be made. As I said all along you dont get equal value for a skilled point getter, but with the request being three or four times made to us, and in spite of what everybody else says we didnt encourage any movement, we were asked if it would happen, said Murray. I didnt want to go through another summer of issues a€| Dallas was the one option that I had. Jim Nill was very straightforward in what he could offer me. Murray told reporters that a contract extension had been offered and refused by Spezza. He said three trade offers had been in play at the NHL draft last weekend, but disappeared as the days went by leaving the Dallas offer as the lone deal on the table. The Senators would like to add another centre to their lineup and Murray said hes working on a deal that he hopes to finalize soon. With Spezzas departure Murray sees the Senators forging a new identity and believes Chiasson will fit right in. Weve always wanted to shift to a hard working, competitive team that we had two years ago and then last year for some reason we got off the track, said Murray. Were going to try and get that back on track. Chiasson, who had 13 goals and 35 points with the Stars last season, is the centrepiece of the trade, but in no way will the 23-year-old replace Spezza. Love him or hate him, Spezza was a point-per-game player over his 11 seasons with the Senators. In 686 games Spezza scored 251 goals and had 687 points. Spezza is in the final year of his contract with a $7 million cap hit and $4 million in actual salary. Over the course of his career Spezza has often been a lightning rod for criticism, and things seemed to come to a head this season for the veteran centre. When asked whether or not he felt the criticism was fair, Spezza said it came with the responsibility of being a star player. I was the highest paid guy on the team and the guy who had been there for a long time so fingers were pointed at me at times, but I also got credit at times, Spezza said. When you play in a Canadian market and you play in a city like that and youre in the same spot for a long time if you expect not to have the finger pointing you have unrealistic expectations. So at times the finger was pointing at me, but it was the reality of the situation that I was in. Spezza said his decision didnt come lightly and that he will miss many things about Ottawa, but in the end he was looking for a team that would give him the best chance at winning a Stanley Cup. Fans will remember that Alfredsson uttered nearly the exact same words last year after signing with Detroit. With two of its top players bolting from the organization one has to wonder what effect this will have on the Senators reputation. Murray is clearly frustrated by the perception that Ottawa is being viewed as a frugal team thats not willing to spend. Ive never had one player Ive called and asked if they would be interested in coming to Ottawa say No Im worried about the money on your team and I wouldnt come, said Murray. Perception is what you make it to be and what you really believe to be true. I think players know they come here and are treated well. Despite losing Spezza and Alfredsson in the span of two years, Murray said the team wont be forced to go into a rebuild. No, were past that, said Murray. Were going to have a good hockey team. Were going to compete. We lose a little bit at centre ice, we gain a little bit on the wing, weve got a couple of young guys coming that are going to be a different brand of playera€|I think our team is going to be really competitive, hard working group of people. I think were going to be well off going forward. Joining Spezza in Dallas is Ales Hemsky, who turned down an offer from the Senators for a contract extension. Hemsky was acquired at the trade deadline and showed chemistry with Spezza, but knowing the captain wanted out left Hemsky with little reason to remain in Ottawa. Both players said they were looking forward to being reunited in Dallas. The Senators did re-sign left-wing Milan Michalek to a three-year, $12-million contract Tuesday. Murray said Michalek had been offered a five-year offer elsewhere, but chose to remain in Ottawa. Milan Lucic Jersey . Altidore strained his left hamstring in the Americans opener against Ghana on June 16 and didnt play in their next two games. "We dont know how much because we need to see how hes going, but hes available," U. Terry OReilly Jersey .Y. - Carey Price had an early feeling that one goal might be enough to settle the latest matchup between his Montreal Canadiens and longtime Original Six foe, the New York Rangers. http://www.thebostonbruinshockey.com/ray...ockey-jersey/.C. -- Al Jefferson knows few people will be giving the Charlotte Bobcats a chance to upset the Miami Heat in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Brad Marchand Jersey . Seth Smith hit a towering drive for a tying homer leading off the eighth and Chris Denorfia singled home two runs to give the Padres a 3-1 victory against the rival Dodgers in baseballs North American opener Sunday night. Patrice Bergeron Jersey . Mars announced Saturday that the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers will join him as part of his halftime show. Super Bowl halftime performers often have collaborators.MONTREAL -- The Montreal Impact are feeling their losses both on and off the field. And it doesnt help that theyre in a franchise worst slump. On Sunday, Montreal matched a team high five-game losing streak, falling 3-2 to the visiting Portland Timbers. As assistant coach Mauro Biello sees it, the struggles have started to take their toll on the players both mentally and physically. "Right now, were very fragile," said Biello. "As much as its on the field with the ball, its in our head. When things dont go well, its something thats always there. Its a mindset that has to change if were going to want to win some games. "You try to tell the players to focus on things they can control." Biello was on the sidelines managing the Impact on Sunday after Frank Klopas was suspended for arguing with a referee during Montreals game on Thursday. Biello is now 1-1-3 at the helm of the Impact. "Its normal that players are frustrated," he said. "We gave up three goals at home. Its unacceptable. If you want to win a game, you cant give up three goals at home." With the game tied 2-2 in the 82nd minute, Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri pounced on a giveaway by former teammate Mamadou Danso before curling the winner just out of the reach of goalkeeper Evan Bush. Danso, who was making his first appearance for the Impact, missed his clearance after losing his footing on the rain-drenched pitch. "I have to go back and watch that again," said Danso, who was traded from Portland to Montreal in June. "The cross came in and I stepped in to block it. I can not say at the top of my head what happened. I definitely have to go back and look at it and try to rectify it." The last-place Impact (3-12-5) have been at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings since Apr. 5. Recently, Montreal is making a habit of losing games late. Against Chivas USA on July 5, the Impact conceded a goal to Erick Torres four minutes into stoppage time for the first of five consecutive losses. The following week, a defensive howler in the 89th minute gifted Sporting Kansas City the 2-1 victory. In Columbus last Saturday, a strike from distance in the 75th minute sent Montreal home sulking. "Weve been missing something these last few games," said Marco Di Vaio, who came on as a substitute in the 63rd minute versus the Timbers. "Were conceding goals out of nothing. Its mental right now. We have to find the solution in the dressing room, between us. Its a very tough time for us right now. What we did today simply isnt enough. "Its definitely mental. Physically, were the same as other teams. Something important is missing. Maybe were trying to do too much, or maybe were thinking too much. We have to find the solution as a team. We cant finish this way. We dont want to finish last. We have to be more confident. We have to find a way.&quoot; After taking a surprising lead in the 13th minute on Andres Romeros first goal in seven games, Montreal conceded twice in quick succession after the half-hour mark.dddddddddddd Argentine midfielder Maximiliano Urruti scored his team-leading ninth goal, and second in two games, in the 34th minute. Timbers forward Darlington Nagbe, Portlands most dangerous player in the first half, found a hole in the Impact defence and fed Urruti, who was waiting patiently in front of Bushs net. Five minutes later, Canadian international Will Johnson gave Portland (6-6-9) the 2-1 lead from the penalty spot after he was taken down in the box by Impact defender Hassoun Camara. Bush, making his third consecutive start in place of regular starting goalkeeper Troy Perkins, was given no chance on Johnsons penalty. "Its hard to feel positive about our results right now," said Bush, who ended the night with six saves, including four in the first half. "Its not like anybody is giving up. Its not like were throwing away the season, by any means. Guys are working hard, and you can see that, emotionally, guys are distraught after games like these. "Weve put so much work during the week into preparation and training, so its difficult. Things are only going to stay this way until we have the right mentality." Down 2-1 with halftime approaching, Montreal looked to right the ship when Maxim Tissot, a product of the Impact Academy, finished off an impressive team effort that involved four of Montreals midfielders. Captain Patrice Bernier, making his 150th appearance for the club, got the play going after the Timbers turned over possession in their own half. Bernier crossed to Felipe, who fed Justin Mapp, who gave it right back to the Brazilian. Felipe one-touched the ball down the left wing to a streaking Bernier, who squared to Tissot in the 18-yard box. The 22-year-old Tissot, in his fifth start with the Impact this season, side-footed the equalizer past keeper Donavan Ricketts. "Ive had a few good chances this year that I havent put away," Tissot said. "In terms of confidence, it will definitely help me. Its just a shame we couldnt get the result, or at least one point. Before I played for the team, I was a supporter of the team. So I know what theyre living right now. "Its not easy for them, and its not easy for us." Montreal has yet to beat a Western Conference opponent this season (0-6-1). Notes: The loss was Montreals first this season when scoring the opener at home (3-1-2). à After starting the last game on the bench, striker Jack McInerney was back in the starting lineup on Sunday. McInerney has not scored in his last five games. à It took 53 minutes for the Timbers to record their first foul of the game. Montreal had 15 at that point. à Montreal plays host to Jermain Defoe and Toronto FC next Saturday. Cheap Barcelona Jerseys Cheap Real Madrid Jerseys Authentic Cheap Bayern Munich Jerseys Cheap Dortmund Jerseys Cheap USA Jerseys Cheap USWNT Jerseys France Soccer Jerseys Soccer Mexico Jerseys Cheap Germany Jerseys Cheap Belgium Soccer Jerseys Brazil Jerseys From China Germany Jerseys From China Authentic Soccer Mexico Jerseys Cheap Portugal Soccer Jerseys Wholesale Spain Jerseys Cheap France Football Jerseys Cheap Germany Jerseys Authentic Cheap Mexico Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Colombia Jerseys Cheap Belgium Football Jerseys Wholesale Argentina Jerseys Cheap USA Soccer Jerseys China cheap uswnt jersey authentic Authentic AC Milan Jerseys Discount Arsenal Jerseys Wholesale A.S. 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