If Jason Spezza had been drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers or Columbus Blue Jackets or Nashville Predators in 2001, he'd likely be in the first month of his second professional season.

	Spezza registered an assist in 13:58 of play in his season debut against Boston.

You see, that's what happens to top 18-year-old prospects who are selected by expansion or bottom-end clubs in today's bloated 30-team NHL. Ready or not (and all 18-year-olds think they're ready), these talented kids pass go, collect a couple of million dollars and enter a world for which they aren't yet properly prepared.

Sometimes, if they're good enough and lucky enough, these top teens survive this trial-by-fire. But, just as often, the careers of these young athletes are stunted or damaged by their hastened introduction to the big league.

Which brings us back to Jason Spezza.

A highly touted and intensely scrutinized prospect since the age of 15, Spezza wasn't drafted by a poor team. Instead, through a draft-day trade, he was picked second overall by the Ottawa Senators, who've qualified for the playoffs in each of the last six seasons, winning a pair of division titles in that span.

In Ottawa, there is no need to rush the 6-foot-3, 205-pound center. So, after his first training camp last year, he was wisely sent back to junior hockey to continue his development. While Spezza was disappointed -- the club probably handled the situation a bit too honestly with coach Jacques Martin telling the local media, Spezza was a "boy playing a man's game" -- the move was the right one.

This year, Spezza arrived in camp with one thing on his mind: making the team. A great kid from strong family, Spezza was eager to start his pro career and join some of his peers (like fellow 2001 picks Ilya Kovalchuk of the Thrashers and Dan Blackburn of the Rangers) in the NHL.

Despite a much-improved performance in the preseason, Spezza didn't make the Senators' roster. Instead, Spezza was sent to Binghamton of the American Hockey League for further development, while 2002 draftees like Rick Nash (Blue Jackets), Jay Bouwmeester (Panthers) and Scotty Upshall (Predators) moved right into the NHL.

"I thought he handled the situation really well," says Senators GM John Muckler, who replaced Marshall Johnston in June. "It was a tough decision for us, but the worst thing we could do to a young player is put him in a position where he can't succeed.

"To be on our team, he's got to play on our top two lines and on the power play. He has to play 16-20 minutes a night and we weren't sure he would get that out of training camp."

At Binghamton, Spezza played in all situations (even strength, power play, penalty kill) and played well. He totaled three goals and six points in his first four games. Then, fate intervened. On Oct. 23, in a game against the Hurricanes, Senators center Radek Bonk suffered a chest contusion. Before the end of the night, Muckler recalled his prize prospect.

"It was really exciting for me," said Spezza, who traveled from Binghamton, through Philadelphia, to Boston for the Sens' Oct. 24th game against the Bruins. "When I went down, I just wanted to work as hard as I could to get back. I tried to work on the things that they asked me to work on. And, I tried to be an impact player."

In his first game, Spezza displayed the offensive skill, hockey sense and vision that attracted scouts so many years earlier, assisting on a pretty goal by Marian Hossa. He didn't get a point in his second game, a loss in Montreal, but he didn't play poorly, either.

"I thought he played very well in Boston," Muckler said. "Not as good in Montreal. Not bad, just not as good. If he continues to play well, we'll have to make another decision."

Yeah, as in, should he stay or should he go?

If Muckler does opt to send Spezza back to Binghamton, he doesn't think it should be viewed as a failure.

"He has to play. Young players have to play to get better," Muckler said. "I don't think it would necessarily be a such a bad thing if he went back and forth. But, if shows us he's ready, he'll be here."

For now, at least, Spezza will be in the NHL, as Bonk's chest injury likely will keep him out of Tuesday's game in Philadelphia. If it does, Spezza will play his third NHL game.

Because he's with a talent-rich organization, Spezza won't have the free pass into the NHL that some of his peers have been handed. But, in the long run, he'll be better player for it.

Mail bag
Last week's column on underappreciated -- or underrated -- players drew an interesting response. I shared my top 10 list, but, like I figured, there would be a few names that would slip through the cracks. Here's what some of you thought:

Hi,
I live in Sweden so I don't have the very best knowledge about underrated players in the NHL, but isn't Steve Rucchin quite underrated?
Best regards,
Sevve

I can agree with that. When Rucchin is healthy, he's a pretty effective player. It's nice to see a Swede appreciating a kid from Thunder Bay!

Dear Mr. Hradek,
How about Brian Rolston? Rolston plays center, wing, and point on the power play, led the league and set a team record for short-handed goals last year.
Gerard Spence
Bristol, R.I.

Rolston would have been a good candidate early last season. But, after getting selected for the U.S. Olympic team and scoring 31 goals, I figure he's receiving his due. That said, Rolston has really improved since his Devil days.

Hey E.J.!
I want to know how you could write an article on role players in hockey and not include Mike Sillinger! Not only is he the absolute top faceoff guy in the NHL, he's even chipping in with goals (easily could be a 20-goal-a-year guy).
Later!
Erik

Another good choice, but I don't know if he's the absolute top faceoff guy. I figure he'd be somewhere in my next 10, but not the first 10. Later!!

Hey,
What about Kirk Maltby? He a high energy guy, a terrific penalty killer and whenever Detroit's play slips into cruise control they throw the Grind Line on the ice and the intensity just goes through the roof. Plus, he's an agitator of the highest order.
John Ashburn
Indianapolis

He could have been on the list. He's among the best third-line guys in the league. I just opted to go with some less obvious choices. My apologies to the entire Maltby family.

E.J.,
I'd like to put in a vote for PJ Axelsson. He's phenomenal on the PK, using his stick as well as anyone I've seen to clog lanes. PJ picks off more passes than anyone would believe, and has really good speed to boot. Without PJ, the Bruins would certainly be a weaker team.
Lawrence Goldstein

Lawrence, you weren't the only person to suggest P.J. Axelsson. And, you know what? You all were right. I should have had Axelsson on my list. He does a nice job with little fanfare. And, I do agree, without Axelsson, the B's would be a weaker team. Plus, how can you not like a guy who uses initials for his first name?

E.J. Hradek writes hockey for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at ej.hradek@espnmag.com.