Senators' Spezza to have back surgery

OTTAWA (AP) Ottawa Senators forward Jason Spezza will have back surgery Friday to repair a herniated disk.
Senators general manager Bryan Murray said it's too early to give a timeline for Spezza's return, but the team is hopeful he'll be play again this season.
"It's just the best thing to do at this point," Murray said Thursday at Scotiabank Place. "You probably could take days off and play a game here and there, but that doesn't make any sense for him or us. So getting it done, hopefully getting it cleaned out will allow him to come back at 100 percent and continue his career."
Spezza's back problems flared Sunday in a shootout loss to Pittsburgh. He missed the next two games, after contributing two goals and three assists in five games this season. He had 34 goals and 50 assists last season, finishing fourth in the NHL with 84 points.
"It's a big loss," Murray said. "The fortunate thing for us is we do have some people that play very hard on this team ... But we don't pretend we can replace that skill level."
Entering play Thursday night, Ottawa (5-1-1) and Boston shared first place in the Eastern Conference standings with 11 points each. The Bruins host the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday and the Senators play at Carolina on Friday.
The 29-year-old Spezza has 621 points (228-393) in 611 career regular-season games. He has 51 points (17-34) in 53 career playoff games.
Selected second overall in the 2001 draft, he's spent his entire career with the Senators.
Updated January 31, 2013
Matt joined the program to discuss his first ever cornhole contest and to break down the Patriots offseason. He told the guys that he was upset that the Pats were unable to bring Wes Welker back to the team.
Tom Brady joined the program to discuss his upcoming charitable event supporting Best Buddies and his off-season. Tom said that he has learned not to worry about free agency decisions since he cant control any of them. Lastly he defended his over the top celebration at the Kentucky Derby.
In the latest edition of the "It Is What It Is" podcast, Chris Price and CSNNE's Mike Giardi take a look at the Patriots offseason on both sides of the ball, try and get a handle on which new guys will make an impact first, and whether or not the Patriots have altered their style when it comes to drafting and developing wide receivers.
Jackie MacMullan joins Mut and Merloni to discuss the latest rumors surrounding Celtics head coach Doc Rivers and whether he'll be back next season with the team.
We check in with Danny Ainge for our first talk to him since the Celtics season ended last weekend. We talk about the future of the team, KG, Pierce, Doc Rivers and more, as Danny directly answers the rumors being floated by ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.
Jackie Mac joins the show to discuss the trade rumors swirling around Paul Pierce, KG, Doc Rivers and the Celtics. She also discusses the future of the Celtics head coach.
Pedro Ciriaco joined Joe & Dave after the 3rd game of the Indians series. The Sox utilityman had three hits in the Sox' come-from-behind win.
Dave talked to the Sox skipper before the 3rd game of the Indians series. John said that the starting rotation is shaping into form.
John Ryder talked to Rob from WEEI.com before the game. Rob said that John Lackey isn't having command problems, unlike many Tommy John patients.
Shawn Thornton talks about what went wrong in Game 4 for the Bruins.
Andy Brickley joins the show to discuss his reaction to game 4 of the Bruins-Rangers series, and how he sees the rest of the series playing out
Barry joined the program to discuss the Bruins disappointing loss last night at MSG. He said that he was impressed with how Rask responded to questions after the game.
Barry joined the program to discuss the Bruins disappointing loss last night at MSG. He said that he was impressed with how Rask responded to questions after the game.
Dave Maloney returned to the show to discuss his Rangers unlikely win in game 4. He said that in all his years playing and calling hockey games he had not seen a softer goal than the one Rask allowed.
Andy from Dartmouth called in to talk Bruins but the discussion quickly got off track when he mentioned his nine bee hives.
McGuire joins the show to discuss the sub-par performance from Tuukka Rask, the Bruins young defensemen, and the potential for the Rangers to get back in the series.
Andy Brickley joins the show to discuss his reaction to game 4 of the Bruins-Rangers series, and how he sees the rest of the series playing out
Kevin Millar joins the show to discuss the slumps of Jacoby Ellsbury and Will Middlebrooks, Tito's return to Fenway, and his reaction Dan Shaunghnessy's controversial column.
Shawn Thornton calls in to talk about the Bruins losing in Game 4.
Tom Brady appeared with D and C this morning and talked about the team's OTA's, the comings and goings, and most importantly what went down when Wes Welker left town, and how does he feel about it?
Four guys, four topics we haven't mentioned today. Mark Sanchez, the Pacers blow it and more.
The Bruins look to take a 3-0 series lead, Jon Lester gets his first loss, Dwight Howard has options in free agency.
Today on the Daily Planet the Bruins have a 2-0 lead over the New york Rangers, the Red Sox are back on the winning sde of things, and the noteable birthdays of the day.
The Bruins have almost finished raking the Leafs, the Red Sox struggle from the mound, Miami Heat fans show their level of class.
Callers bitch about the Bruins loss, and we answer how long it takes to get over a relationship.
Kirk's still a jerk, but we want a SWEEP!
The Jerks are joined by another, Jerk Minihane.
Tom Brady joined the program to discuss his upcoming charitable event supporting Best Buddies and his off-season. Tom said that he has learned not to worry about free agency decisions since he cant control any of them. Lastly he defended his over the top celebration at the Kentucky Derby.
More from this showLinda explains how the shootout transpired in Watertown during the early morning hours. She saw the first suspect mortally wounded and police beginning the manhunt for the second suspect.
More from this showA fiery Bobby Valentine joined Glenn Ordway and Michael Holley and fired back about rumors of him being late to the ballpark, the perception that he's given up on the year, and more on the 2012 Red Sox debacle.
More from this showCallers bitch about the Bruins loss, and we answer how long it takes to get over a relationship.
More from this showWe check in with Danny Ainge for our first talk to him since the Celtics season ended last weekend. We talk about the future of the team, KG, Pierce, Doc Rivers and more, as Danny directly answers the rumors being floated by ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.
More from this show