Jason Spezza signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Maple Leafs on Wednesday.

The forward, who turned 38 on Sunday, could have become an unrestricted free agent July 28. He returns for his 19th season in the NHL, the past two with the Maple Leafs, after scoring 30 points (10 goals, 20 assists) in 54 regular-season games to help Toronto (35-14-7) win the Scotia North Division. Spezza scored five points (three goals, two assists) in the Stanley Cup First Round, a seven-game loss to the Canadiens.

"I feel like there's a lot of unfinished business," Spezza said June 2, after the Maple Leafs were eliminated. "I feel very invested in the group here and hopeful that I get another opportunity to do that again next year and push this team over the top."