Hartsburg Tinkers.....Message to Spezza?

OK, I'm going to get off of Gerber's back for a bit and plant a couple observations on you all.

It was reported today that Spezza will be "demoted" and play on a line with Foligno and Winchester. Mike Fisher will "move up" and fill in for Spezza on the top line with Heatley and Alfredsson.

My thoughts?

Spezza has been super and super-awful in this young season. His offensive prowess has flourished yet his defensive responsibility has been, well, less than responsible.

Is Mike Fisher a number one center? Probably not. Is Jason Spezza not a true number one center? Of course he is. What is coach Hartsburg's thought here? Spread out the offensive threat. Opposing teams will fear the threat of Fisher using his speed and physical play to retrieve the puck on the forecheck and dishing it to either Alfie or Heatley. Does the opponent use its "shutdown" line against this line or do they fear Winchester digging the puck off the boards, sending it to Spezza who throws it at the net where Foligno is charging hard for spillage.

Could this be the end of the Sens quest to become more than a one line team? Perhaps. If all pans out according to the coaches plan, this team will have a 1 and 1a line and that's not a bad spot to be in.