Senators star center Spezza to undergo back surgery, out indefinitely
Ottawa Senators center Jason Spezza will undergo back surgery and is out indefinitely, general manager Bryan Murray said in a press conference on Thursday.
The procedure, which will address a herniated disc in Spezza's back, is schedule to take place on Friday in Toronto. The first-line center suffered the injury during Sunday's loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He had missed the past two games.
Murray didn't provide a timetable for Spezza's return. The typical recovery time for surgery on a herniated disc is six to eight weeks, which means Spezza could miss at least 30 games.
"I can't give you a time frame simply because until the surgery and rehab starts we won't know the total extent," Murray said. "We are hoping that he gets back at the later part of the season and, if we're in the [Stanley Cup] Playoffs, [he] will be able to participate at that time."
Spezza had two goals and three assists in Ottawa's first five games of this season. In 2011-12, he scored 34 goals and tallied 84 points in 80 games.
