Editing Jason Spezza (section)

====Toronto Maple Leafs (2019–2022)====
On July 1, 2019, as a free agent, Spezza signed a one-year, $700,000 contract for the [[2019–20 NHL season|2019–20 season]] with the Toronto Maple Leafs,<ref>{{cite web| url =https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/maple-leafs-sign-jason-spezza/c-308143410 | title = Maple Leafs sign Free Agent center Jason Spezza | website = [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] | date = July 1, 2019 | access-date = July 1, 2019}}</ref> the team he supported as a child.<ref>{{cite web | title = Spezza signs one-year contract with Maple Leafs | url = https://www.nhl.com/news/jason-spezza-signs-one-year-contract-toronto-maple-leafs/c-308098262 | publisher = National Hockey League | date = July 1, 2019 | access-date = July 9, 2019}}</ref> On signing, Spezza said, "Just to have a chance to put on a Leaf jersey is going to be pretty special for me."<ref>{{cite web | title = Spezza welcomes shot at childhood dream with Leafs | url = https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2019/07/01/spezza-welcomes-shot-at-childhood-dream-with-leafs.html | author = Kevin McGran, ''[[Toronto Star]]'' | website = [[Toronto Star]] | date = July 1, 2019 | access-date = July 9, 2019}}</ref> However, Spezza was scratched for Toronto's opening night game against his former team, the [[Ottawa Senators]], in a highly criticized move by Toronto's head coach [[Mike Babcock]]. Spezza made his debut with the Maple Leafs in the following game on October 5, against the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-jason-spezza-working-way-back-babcocks-good-graces/|title=Maple Leafs' Jason Spezza working way back into Babcock's good graces|date=October 5, 2019|access-date=January 16, 2020|last=Johnston|first=Chris|work=Sportsnet|publisher=Rogers Digital Media}}</ref>

On October 5, 2020, Spezza signed a one-year, $700,000 extension with the Maple Leafs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/jason-spezza-maple-leafs-contract-extension/c-319298272|title = Maple Leafs Sign Spezza to Contract Extension| date=October 5, 2020 }}</ref>

On January 17, 2021, the Maple Leafs placed Spezza on waivers after 3 games for salary cap reasons. Spezza's agent indicated that Spezza would retire if claimed by another team. Ultimately, he went unclaimed and cleared waivers to remain with the Maple Leafs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2021/1/18/22237023/spezza-clears-dell-does-not-new-jersey-roster-maple-leafs-goalie-shuffle|title=Spezza clears, Dell does not|date=January 18, 2021|access-date=February 4, 2021|last=|first=|work=Pension Plan Puppets|publisher=[[SB Nation]]}}</ref> Two and a half weeks later, Spezza would go on to record his eighth and final career hat trick in a 7–3 victory over the [[Vancouver Canucks]] on February 4.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/jason-spezza-records-eighth-career-hat-trick-canucks/|title = Jason Spezza records eighth career hat trick against Canucks - Sportsnet.ca}}</ref>

On June 16, 2021, Spezza re-signed with the Maple Leafs to a one-year contract extension worth league minimum again, $750,000. Spezza's deal was seen as another hometown discount for the salary cap strapped club, stating "if I could take less, I would" to help the team win.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2021/06/16/leafs-re-sign-centre-jason-spezza-to-a-one-year-750000-contract.html|title='If I could take less, I would.' Jason Spezza takes one for the team in return to Leafs|date=June 16, 2021|access-date=December 17, 2021|last=Zwolinski|first=Mark|work=[[Toronto Star]]|publisher=[[TorStar]]}}</ref> Spezza continued his strong play in a depth role before being suspended six games on December 8 for a hit to the head of [[Winnipeg Jets]] defender [[Neal Pionk]] that occurred three days prior after Pionk injured teammate [[Rasmus Sandin]] with a knee-on-knee hit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2245829|title=Leafs' Spezza suspended 6 games for kneeing Jets' Pionk in head|date=December 8, 2021|access-date=December 17, 2021|last=Wegman|first=Josh|work=[[TheScore]]|publisher=[[Score Media and Gaming]]}}</ref> Spezza, who had a reputation as a clean player that had never been suspended or fined once in his 19 seasons in the NHL appealed the decision, with NHL commissioner [[Gary Bettman]] reducing the suspension to four games on December 17.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/gary-bettman-jason-spezza-suspension-1.1736194|title=Bettman reduces length of Spezza's suspension to four games|date=December 17, 2021|access-date=December 17, 2021|website=[[The Sports Network]] (TSN)|publisher=[[Bell Media]]}}</ref>
Following the Leafs' elimination in the first round of the [[2022 Stanley Cup playoffs]] by the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]], Spezza announced his retirement after 19 seasons in the NHL. Spezza retired with 995 career NHL points, the most of any player who never hit 1,000. The Maple Leafs offered him a new position as special assistant to general manager [[Kyle Dubas]], which Spezza accepted, saying he was "very grateful to the Leafs for the amazing opportunity to transition into this new role. It enables me to continue to follow my passion; learn and live new experiences within the game I love."<ref name=retirement>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/jason-spezza-announces-retirement-after-19-seasons-joins-maple-leafs-front-office/|title=Jason Spezza announces retirement after 19 seasons, joins Maple Leafs' front office|date=May 29, 2022|access-date=May 29, 2022|website=[[Sportsnet]]}}</ref> Spezza's loyalty to his hometown Maple Leafs factored into his decision, stating that he believed that it was best for the on-ice product for him to retire and open opportunity for young offensive players.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/video/jason-spezza--media-availability/t-277437436/c-11842555|title=Jason Spezza Media Availability|date=May 29, 2022|access-date=May 29, 2022|website=[[National Hockey League]]}}</ref>