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for the original Ottawa Senators see Ottawa Senators (original)

Ottawa Senators
Information
Conference Eastern
Division Atlantic
Founded 1990
History Ottawa Senators
1992-present
Arena Canadian Tire Centre
City Ottawa, Ontario
Team Colours Red, Black, Gold, White
                   
Media English
TSN5
TSN 1200
French
Réseau des sports (RDS)
RDS2
CJFO 94.5
Owner(s) Flag of Canada Eugene Melnyk
General Manager Flag of Canada Pierre Dorion
Head Coach Flag of Canada Travis Green
Captain Flag of the United States Brady Tkachuk
Minor League affiliates Belleville Senators (AHL)
Championships
Stanley Cups 0
Presidents' Trophies 1 (2002-03)
Conferences 1 (2006-07)
Divisions 4 (1998-99, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2005-06)
Other
Official Website senators.nhl.com
Uniforms
Home ice
ECA-Uniform-OTT

The Ottawa Senators (French:Les Sénateurs d'Ottawa) are a professional men's ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Senators are the most recent Eastern Conference champions, holders of the Prince of Wales Trophy and runners-up in the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals. The Senators play their home games at the 20,500 capacity Canadian Tire Centre (originally named the 'Palladium', and later the 'Corel Centre' which became 'Scotiabank Place').

Founded and established by Ottawa real estate developer Bruce Firestone, the team is the second NHL franchise to have the Ottawa Senators name. The original Ottawa Senators, founded in 1883, had a famed history, winning 11 Stanley Cups[1] and played in the NHL from 1917 until 1934. On December 6, 1990, after a two year public campaign by Firestone to return the NHL to Ottawa, the NHL awarded a new franchise, which began play in the 1992-93 season.

The club has seen its share of struggles, both on and off the ice. The team has had two changes of ownership, from Firestone, to Rod Bryden in 1993 due to the arena development process and its financing, and subsequently to Eugene Melnyk after the team filed for bankruptcy in 2003. On the ice, the club finished last in the league for its first four seasons. Changes in hockey management have led to steady improvement of the team's play, resulting in the team qualifying for the Stanley Cup playoffs each season over the last 10 years. Today, the club is among the most successful teams in the league, consistently finishing high in the standings. The team has several all-star players and one of the league's top lines, the "CASH" line.

Team history[]

History[]

Ottawa Senators text using decorative fonts

Pre-launch logo used in the "Bring Back the Senators" campaign

Ottawa had been home to the original Senators, a founding NHL franchise and 11-time Stanley Cup champions. After the NHL expanded to the United States in the late 1920s, the original Senators' eventual financial losses forced the franchise to move to St. Louis in 1934 operating as the Eagles while a Senators senior amateur team took over the Senators' place in Ottawa.[2] The NHL team was unsuccessful in St. Louis and planned to return to Ottawa, but the NHL decided instead to suspend the franchise and transfer the players to other NHL teams.[3]

Fifty-four years later, after the NHL announced plans to expand, Ottawa real estate developer Bruce Firestone decided along with colleagues Cyril Leeder and Randy Sexton that Ottawa was now able to support an NHL franchise, and the group proceeded to put a bid together. His firm, Terrace Investments, did not have the liquid assets to finance the expansion fee and the team, but the group conceived a strategy to leverage land development. In 1989, after finding a suitable site on farmland just west of Ottawa in Kanata on which to construct a new arena, Terrace announced its intention to win a franchise and launched a successful "Bring Back the Senators" campaign to both woo the public and persuade the NHL that the city could support an NHL franchise. Public support was high, and the group would secure over 11,000 season ticket pledges.[4] On December 12, 1990, the NHL approved a new franchise for Firestone's group to start play in the 1992–93 season.[5]

Early years (1992–1996)[]

The new team hired former NHL player Mel Bridgman, who had no previous NHL management experience, as its first general manager in 1992.[6] Ottawa signed former Boston head coach Rick Bowness. The new Senators were placed in the Adams Division of the Wales Conference and played their first game on October 8, 1992, in the Ottawa Civic Centre against the Montreal Canadiens with much pre-game spectacle.[7] The Senators defeated the Canadiens 5–3 in one of the few highlights that season. Following the initial excitement of the opening night victory, the club floundered badly. Eventually, it tied the San Jose Sharks for the worst record in the league, winning only 10 games with 70 losses and four ties for 24 points, three points better than the NHL record for futility.[8] The Senators had aimed low and considered the 1992–93 season a small success, as Firestone had set a goal for the season of not setting a new NHL record for fewest points in a season.[9] The long-term plan was to finish low in the standings for its first few years to secure high draft picks and eventually contend for the Stanley Cup.[9]

File:Senators civic centre.jpg

The Senators played their home games at the Ottawa Civic Centre from 1992 to 1996.

Terrace needed a partner to make the final franchise payment to the NHL. Firestone sold 50% of Terrace to Rod Bryden, a technology executive and entrepreneur. A limited partnership was set up to own the hockey team and a new company, Palladium Corp., which was charged with building the new arena. The partnership included local high-tech executives and singer Paul Anka, who was born in Ottawa.[10] Bryden would become the sole owner of Terrace and majority owner of the Senators in August 1993, buying out Firestone.[11]

Bridgman was fired after one season and team president Randy Sexton took over the general manager duties. The strategy of aiming low and securing a high draft position did not change. The Senators finished last overall for the next three seasons. For the 1993–94 season, the team now played in the Eastern Conference's Northeast Division. Although 1993 first overall draft choice Alexandre Daigle wound up being one of the greatest draft busts in NHL history, they chose Radek Bonk in 1994, Bryan Berard (traded for Wade Redden) in 1995, Chris Phillips in 1996 and Marian Hossa in 1997, all of whom would become solid NHL players and formed a strong core of players in years to come. Alexei Yashin, the team's first-ever draft selection from 1992, emerged as one of the NHL's brightest young stars. The team traded many of their better veteran players of the era, including 1992–93 leading scorer Norm Maciver and fan favourites Mike Peluso and Bob Kudelski in an effort to stockpile prospects and draft picks.[12][13][14]

As the 1995–96 season began, star centre Alexei Yashin refused to honour his contract and did not play. In December, after three straight last-place finishes and a team which was ridiculed throughout the league, fans began to grow restless waiting for the team's long-term plan to yield results, and arena attendance began to decline. Rick Bowness was fired in late 1995 and was replaced by the Prince Edward Island Senators' head coach Dave Allison. Allison would fare no better than his predecessor, and the team would stumble to a 2–22–3 record under him. Sexton himself was fired and replaced by Pierre Gauthier, the former assistant general manager of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim team.[15] Before the end of January 1996, Gauthier had resolved the team's most pressing issues by settling star player Alexei Yashin's contract dispute, and hiring the highly regarded Jacques Martin as head coach.[16] While Ottawa finished last-overall once again, the season ended with renewed optimism, due in part to the upgraded management and coaching, and also to the emergence of an unheralded rookie from Sweden named Daniel Alfredsson, who would win the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year in 1996.[17]

Jacques Martin era (1996–2004)[]

tall man in hockey outfit playing hockey on ice

During the 2001 NHL entry draft, the Senators acquired Zdeno Chara in a multi-player trade with the New York Islanders.

Martin would impose a "strong defence first" philosophy that led to the team qualifying for the playoffs every season that he coached, but he was criticized for the team's lack of success in the playoffs, notably losing four straight series against their provincial rival, the Toronto Maple Leafs.[18]

In 1996–97, his first season, the club qualified for the playoffs in the last game of the season and nearly defeated the Buffalo Sabres in the first round. In 1997–98, the club finished with their first winning record and upset the heavily favoured New Jersey Devils to win their first playoff series. However, they were ousted in the second round by the Washington Capitals.[17] In 1998–99, the Senators jumped from fourteenth overall in the previous season to third, with 103 points—the first 100-point season in club history, only to be swept in the first round by the Sabres. In 1999–2000, despite the holdout of team captain Alexei Yashin, Martin guided the team to the playoffs, only to lose to the Maple Leafs in the first Battle of Ontario series.[19][20] Yashin returned for 2000–01 and the team improved to win their division and place second in the Eastern Conference. Yashin played poorly in another first-round playoff loss[21] and on the day of the 2001 NHL entry draft, he was traded to the New York Islanders in exchange for Zdeno Chara, Bill Muckalt and the second overall selection in the draft, which Ottawa used to select centre Jason Spezza.[22]

The 2001–02 Senators regular season points total dropped, but in the playoffs, they upset the Philadelphia Flyers for the franchise's second playoff series win. The Sens would go on to push their second-round series to seven games, but they were ultimately once again defeated by the Maple Leafs. Despite speculation that Martin would be fired, it was general manager Marshall Johnston who left, retiring from the team.[23] He was replaced by John Muckler, the Senators' first with previous management experience.[24]

Although the Senators were bankrupt, they continued to play in the 2002–03 season after getting emergency financing.[25] Despite the off-ice problems, Ottawa had an outstanding season, placing first overall in the NHL to win the Presidents' Trophy. In the playoffs, they came within one game of making it into the Stanley Cup Finals, losing to the eventual Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils.[26] In 2003–04, Martin would guide the team to another good regular season but again would lose in the first round of the playoffs to the Maple Leafs, leading to Martin's dismissal as management felt that a new coach was required for playoff success.[27]

Bankruptcy and sale to Eugene Melnyk[]

In 2000, owner Bryden publicly appealed for tax relief from the Government of Canada for all Canadian NHL teams, coping with a significant drop in the Canadian dollar. His appeal was first met with a plan for tax relief, but the tax relief program was cancelled.[28] Bryden then announced the sale of the club outright to a limited partnership in 2002 for CA$186 million, which would include creditors and Bryden himself.[28] After its principal creditor Ogden Entertainment failed, the Senators entered bankruptcy protection in January 2003, owing CA$160 million for the club and CA$210 million for the arena.[29] The deal fell through in 2003 when American investor Nelson Peltz declined to get involved.[30]

In August 2003, pharmaceutical billionaire Eugene Melnyk purchased the club for a reported CA$130 million.[31][32] Melnyk, principal shareholder of Biovail Pharmaceuticals, chose to finance half of the purchase price for the club and arena with debt. Share values of Biovail were depressed, and he did not want to sell them at the lower price.[33]

Bryan Murray era (2004–2016)[]

After the playoff loss, owner Melnyk promised that changes were coming, and they came quickly. In June 2004, Anaheim Ducks general manager Bryan Murray of nearby Shawville became the head coach. That summer, the team also made substantial personnel changes, trading long-time players Patrick Lalime[34] and Radek Bonk,[35] and signing free agent goaltender Dominik Hasek.[36] The team would not be able to show its new line-up for a year, as the 2004–05 NHL lock-out intervened and most players played in Europe or in the minors. In a final change, just before the 2005–06 season, the team traded long-time player Marian Hossa for Dany Heatley.[37]

man in white hockey equipment on ice skating with puck

Daniel Alfredsson played together with Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley, forming the CASH line. They led the Senators to their first Finals appearance.

The media predicted the Senators to be Stanley Cup contenders in 2005–06, as they had a strong core of players returning. They played an up-tempo style that fit the new rule changes, and Hasek was expected to provide top-notch goaltending.[38] The team rushed out of the gate, winning 19 of the first 22 games, in the end winning 52 games and 113 points, placing first in the conference, and second overall. The newly formed 'CASH' line[39] of Alfredsson, Spezza and newly acquired Dany Heatley established itself as one of the league's top offensive lines.[40] Hasek played well until he was injured during the 2006 Winter Olympics,[41] forcing the team to enter the playoffs with rookie netminder Ray Emery as their starter.[42] Without Hasek, the club bowed out in a second-round loss to the Buffalo Sabres.[43]

In 2006–07, the Senators reached the Stanley Cup Finals after qualifying for the playoffs in nine consecutive seasons. The Senators had a high turn-over of personnel and the disappointment of 2006 to overcome and started the season poorly. Trade rumours swirled around Daniel Alfredsson for most of the last months of 2006. The team lifted itself out of last place in the division to nearly catch the Buffalo Sabres by season's end, placing fourth in the Eastern Conference. The team finished with 105 points, their fourth consecutive 100-point season and sixth in the last eight. In the playoffs, Ottawa continued its good play. Led by the 'CASH' line, goaltender Ray Emery, and the strong defence of Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov, the club defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins, the second-ranked New Jersey Devils and the top-ranked Sabres to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.[44]

The 2006–07 Senators thus became the first Ottawa team to be in a Stanley Cup Finals since 1927, and the city was swept up in the excitement.[45] Businesses along all of the main streets posted large hand-drawn "Go Sens Go" signs, residents put up large displays in front of their homes or decorated their cars.[46] A large Ottawa Senators flag was draped on the City Hall, along with a large video screen showing the games. A six-storey likeness of Daniel Alfredsson was hung on the Corel building.[47] Rallies were held outside of City Hall, car rallies of decorated cars paraded through town and a section of downtown, dubbed the "Sens Mile", was closed off to traffic during and after games for fans to congregate.[48]

In the Stanley Cup Finals, the Senators faced the Anaheim Ducks, considered a favourite since the start of the season, a team the Senators had last played in 2006, and a team known for its strong defence. The Ducks won the first two games in Anaheim 3–2 and 1–0. Returning home, the Senators won game three 5–3 but lost game four 3–2. The Ducks won game five 6–2 in Anaheim to clinch the series and their first Stanley Cup championship. The Ducks had played outstanding defence, shutting down the 'CASH' line, forcing Murray to split up the line. The Ducks scored timely goals and Ducks' goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere out-played Emery.[49]

In the off-season after the Stanley Cup Finals, Bryan Murray's contract was expiring. At the same time, general manager (GM) John Muckler had one season remaining and was expected to retire. Murray, who had previously been a general manager for other NHL clubs, was expected to take over the general manager position, although no public timetable was given. Owner Melnyk decided to offer Muckler another position in the organization and give the general manager position to Murray. Muckler declined the offer and was relieved from his position.[50] Melnyk publicly justified the move, saying that he expected to lose Murray if his contract ran out.[50] Murray then elevated John Paddock, the assistant coach, to head coach of the Senators.[51] Under Paddock, the team came out to a record start to the 2007–08 season. However, team play declined to a .500 level, and the team was falling out of the playoffs. Paddock was fired by Murray, who took over coaching on an interim basis.[52] The club managed to qualify for the playoffs by a tie-breaker but was swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Pittsburgh Penguins. In June, the club bought out goaltender Ray Emery, who had become notorious for off-ice events in Ottawa and lateness to several team practices.[53]

man wearing black goaltender mask and hockey equipment

Martin Gerber was a goaltender for the Senators from 2006 to 2009.

For 2008–09, Murray hired Craig Hartsburg to coach the Senators. Under Hartsburg's style, the Senators struggled and played under .500. Uneven goaltending with Martin Gerber and Alex Auld meant the team played cautiously to protect the goaltender. Murray's patience ran out in February 2009, with the team well out of playoff contention, and Hartsburg was fired, although he had two years left on his contract, and the team also had Paddock under contract.[54] Cory Clouston was elevated from the Binghamton coaching position.[54] The team played above .500 under Clouston and rookie goaltender Brian Elliott, who had been promoted from Binghamton. Gerber was waived from the team at the trading deadline, and the team traded for goaltender Pascal Leclaire, although he would not play due to injury. The team failed to make the playoffs for the first time in 12 seasons. Auld would be traded in the off-season to make room. Clouston's coaching had caused a rift with top player Dany Heatley (although unspecified "personal issues" were also noted by Heatley), and after Clouston was given a contract to continue coaching, Heatley made a trade demand and was traded to the San Jose Sharks just before the start of the 2009–10 season.[55]

In 2009–10, the Senators were a .500 team until going on a team-record 11-game winning streak in January. The streak propelled the team to the top of the Northeast Division standings and a top-three placing for the playoffs. The team could not hold off the Sabres for the division lead but qualified for the playoffs in the fifth position. For the third season in four, the Senators played off against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round. A highlight for the Senators was winning a triple-overtime fifth game in Pittsburgh,[56] but the team could not win a playoff game on home ice, losing the series in six games.[57]

The Senators had a much poorer than expected 2010–11 campaign, resulting in constant rumours of a shakeup right through until December. The rumours were heightened in January after the team went on a lengthy losing streak. January was a dismal month for the Senators, winning only one game. Media speculated on the imminent firing of Clouston, Murray or both. Owner Melynk cleared the air in an article in the January 22, 2011 edition of the Ottawa Sun. Melnyk stated that he would not fire either Clouston or Murray but that he had given up on this season and was in the process of developing a plan for the future.[58] On Monday, January 24, The Globe and Mail reported that the plan included hiring a new general manager before the June entry draft and that Murray would be retained as an advisor to the team. A decision on whether to retain Clouston would be made by the new general manager. The article by Roy MacGregor, a long-time reporter of the Ottawa Senators, stated that former assistant coach Pierre McGuire had already been interviewed.[59] Murray, in a press conference that day, stated that he wished to stay on as the team's general manager. He also stated that Melnyk was allowing him to continue as the general manager without restraint. Murray said that the players were now to be judged by their play until the February 28 trade deadline. Murray would attempt to move "a couple, at least," of the players for draft picks or prospects at that time if the Senators remained out of playoff contention.[60]

File:Craig Anderson 2013-05-24.JPG

During the 2010–11 season, the Senators acquired Craig Anderson after swapping goaltenders with the Colorado Avalanche.

True to his word, Murray made a flurry of trades. He started his overhaul with the trading of Mike Fisher to the Nashville Predators. Fisher already had a home in Nashville with his wife Carrie Underwood. The trading of Fisher, a fan favourite in Ottawa, led to a small anti-Underwood backlash with the banning of her songs from the playlists of some local radio stations.[61] Murray next traded veterans Chris Kelly,[62] and Jarkko Ruutu.[63] A swap of goaltenders was made with the Colorado Avalanche which brought Craig Anderson to Ottawa in exchange for Brian Elliott, both goaltenders having sub-par years.[64] Next, under-achieving forward Alex Kovalev was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins.[65] On trade deadline day, Ottawa picked up goaltender Curtis McElhinney on waivers. It traded Chris Campoli with a seventh-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks for a second-round pick and Ryan Potulny.[66] Goaltender Anderson played very well down the stretch for Ottawa, and the team quickly signed the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent to a four-year contract.[67] After media speculation on the future of Murray within the organization, Murray was re-signed as general manager on April 8 to a three-year extension.[68] On April 9, head coach Cory Clouston and assistants Greg Carvel and Brad Lauer were dismissed from their positions.[69] Murray said that the decision was made based on the fact that the team entered the season believing it was a contender, but finished with a 32–40–10 record.[69] Former Detroit Red Wings' assistant coach Paul MacLean was hired as Clouston's replacement on June 14, 2011.[70]

As the 2011–12 season began, many hockey writers and commentators were convinced that the Senators would finish at or near the bottom of the NHL standings.[71] While rebuilding, the Ottawa line-up contained many rookies and inexperienced players. The team struggled out of the gate, losing five of their first six games before a reversal of fortunes saw them win six games in a row. In December 2011, the team acquired forward Kyle Turris from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for highly regarded prospect David Rundblad and a draft pick.[72] The team improved its play afterwards and moved into a playoff position before the All-Star Game. For the first time in Senators' history, the All-Star Game was held in Ottawa and considered a great success. Five Senators were voted in or named to the event, including Daniel Alfredsson, who was named the captain of one team.[73] The team continued its playoff push after the break. After starting goaltender Craig Anderson injured his hand in a kitchen accident at home, the Senators called up Robin Lehner from Binghamton and acquired highly regarded goaltender Ben Bishop from the St. Louis Blues.[74] While Anderson recovered, the team continued its solid play and finished as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, drawing a first-round playoff matchup against the Conference champion New York Rangers. Ultimately, Ottawa lost the series in seven games.[75]

File:Paul MacLean 2013-05-24.JPG

Paul MacLean was awarded the Jack Adams Award during the 2012–13 season. He was the Senators' head coach from 2011 to 2014.

The next season, Ottawa would be challenged to repeat the success they had in 2011–12 due to long-term injuries to key players such as Erik Karlsson, Jason Spezza, Milan Michalek and Craig Anderson.[76] Despite these injuries, the Senators would finish seventh in the Eastern Conference and head coach Paul MacLean would go on to win the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's coach of the year.[76] In a rivalry series, Ottawa defeated the second-seeded Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the playoffs in five games, blowing out Montreal 6–1 in games three and five.[77] This was the first Montreal-Ottawa playoff series since Ottawa joined the league and the first between the cities' teams since the original Senators played the Canadiens in 1927.[78] The Senators could not repeat the upset, losing to the top-seeded Pittsburgh Penguins in five games in the second round.[79]

July 5, 2013, would be a day of mixed emotions for the city and fans, as long-time captain Daniel Alfredsson signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings, leaving Ottawa after 17 seasons with the Senators and 14 as captain after a contract dispute.[80] The signing shocked numerous fans across the city and many within the Senators organization.[80] The day finished optimistically, however, as Murray acquired star forward Bobby Ryan from the Anaheim Ducks, hoping Ryan could replace Alfredsson on the top line with Jason Spezza. Murray would also sign free-agent forward Clarke MacArthur to a two-year contract that same day and bring back former defenceman Joe Corvo to a one-year contract three days later on July 8, 2013.[81]

For the 2013–14 season, the league realigned and Ottawa was assigned to the new Atlantic Division along with the rest of the old Northeast Division and the Detroit Red Wings, formerly of the Western Conference.[82] The re-alignment brought increased competition to qualify for the playoffs, as there were now 16 teams in the Eastern Conference fighting for eight playoff spots. The season began with a changing of leadership, as on September 14, 2013, the Ottawa Senators named Jason Spezza their eighth captain in franchise history.[83] While new addition Clarke MacArthur had a career year, Ryan and Spezza struggled to find chemistry, and Ryan was moved to a line with MacArthur and Kyle Turris.[84] Corvo lost his place in the line-up and was waived.[85] The team outside of a playoff position, Murray bolstered the club with a trade for flashy right-winger Ales Hemsky from the Edmonton Oilers.[86] The club, however, was eliminated from playoff contention in the last week of the season, finishing five points short.[87] Further disappointment ensued as the team lost Hemsky to free agency and Spezza requested a trade out of Ottawa, ending the era of the stars of the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals team.[88] Spezza agreed to be traded to the Dallas Stars and was sent with Ludwig Karlsson for Alex Chiasson, Nick Paul, Alex Guptill and a 2015 second-round pick.[89]

File:Erik Karlsson 1 2017-05-13.jpg

Erik Karlsson was team captain through the 2014–15 to 2017–18 seasons.

At the beginning of the 2014–15 season, Karlsson was named the franchise's ninth captain and the club signed Ryan to a seven-year extension.[90] Unhappy with an 11–11–5 record after 27 games, the Senators fired head coach Paul MacLean and replaced him with assistant coach Dave Cameron.[91] The change turned the season around for the Senators, who won 32 of their last 55 games. After both Senators' goalies Anderson and Lehner were injured, the team turned to Binghamton goaltender Andrew Hammond. Hammond, aka 'The Hamburglar,' would compile a record of 20–1–2, a goals-against average of 1.79, and a save percentage of .941 to get the team back into playoff position.[92][93] The Senators became the first team in modern NHL history to overcome a 14-point deficit at any juncture of the season to qualify for the playoffs.[94] However, the Senators lost to the Canadiens in six games in the first round of the playoffs.[95]

During the 2014–15 season, it was announced that Murray had cancer. Taking regular treatment, Murray chose to stay on as general manager through the 2015–16 season. Despite posting the best record of any Canadian team in the league, the Senators failed to make the playoffs in what was considered a disappointing season (all seven Canadian teams missed the playoffs). Murray made one 'blockbuster' nine-player trade that brought Toronto Maple Leafs' captain Dion Phaneuf to the Senators before the trade deadline.[96] The Senators were outside of a playoff position at the time of the deal, and played well until the end of the season, but fell just short, placing fifth in the division.[97]

Pierre Dorion era (2016–2023)[]

On April 10, 2016, the day after the final game of the 2015–16 season, Murray announced his resignation as general manager and that he would continue in an advisory role with the club. Assistant general manager Pierre Dorion was promoted to the general manager position.[98] On April 12, 2016, the Senators fired head coach Dave Cameron.[99] On May 8, 2016, the Senators hired former Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Guy Boucher as their new head coach.[100] On the following day, Marc Crawford was announced as associate coach.[101] On June 13, 2016, the Senators hired Daniel Alfredsson as the senior advisor of hockey operations.[102] In June 2016, the Senators hired Rob Cookson as an assistant coach, who had worked with both Boucher and Crawford in Switzerland, and Pierre Groulx as a goaltending coach.[103]

The Senators finished second in the Atlantic Division during the 2016–17 season. They faced the Boston Bruins in the first round of the playoffs, winning that series in six games. In the second round, they defeated the New York Rangers in six games. During the second game of that series, Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored four goals, including the game-winning goal in double overtime. The Senators would come within one win of the Stanley Cup Finals having lost in double overtime of the seventh game of their conference finals series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who went on to win their second consecutive Stanley Cup.[104][105]

Following their appearance in the conference finals the previous season, the Senators lost defenceman Marc Methot to the 2017 NHL expansion draft. On November 5, 2017, the Senators conducted a blockbuster trade with the Colorado Avalanche, bringing in star forward Matt Duchene from the Avalanche in exchange for Kyle Turris, Shane Bowers, Andrew Hammond, a conditional first-round pick in 2018 or 2019 and a third-round pick in 2019. Following the trade, however, the Senators' season began to fall apart with a disastrous November road trip.[106] A season highlight was hosting the NHL 100 Classic game outdoors at the TD Place Stadium football field versus the Montreal Canadiens. The game marked the centennial of the first Montreal-Ottawa game in the NHL. The Senators won the game 3–0, but the festival atmosphere was somewhat marred by owner Melnyk's controversial comments to the press about attendance levels and selling or moving the team.[106] Out of the playoff picture, the Senators chose to trade away veteran players. Forward Derick Brassard and defenceman Dion Phaneuf were dealt at the trade deadline to the Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Kings, respectively. The Senators finished the year second-to-last in the league with a 28–43–11 record and 67 points, their fourth-worst season since entering the league.[107][108]

During the 2018 off-season, the Senators began what would end up being a complete rebuild. They traded forward Mike Hoffman to the San Jose Sharks, who later that day flipped him to the Florida Panthers. The Senators ended up with the fourth-overall pick in the 2018 draft due to their poor record. Under the Matt Duchene trade conditions, they either had to give up the pick to the Avalanche or wait a year and surrender their 2019 first-round pick instead. The Senators elected to keep the pick and selected forward Brady Tkachuk fourth overall. Just before the regular season started, the Senators traded their captain, Erik Karlsson, to the San Jose Sharks for a large package of players and draft picks.[109][110]

After a miserable start to the 2018–19 season, the Senators were unable to re-sign forwards Matt Duchene, Mark Stone and Ryan Dzingel before the trade deadline. In an attempt to create optimism, owner Melnyk famously stated: "The Senators will be all-in again for a five-year run of unparalleled success–where the team will plan to spend close to the NHL's salary cap every year from 2021 to 2025. The Senators' current rebuild is a blueprint on how to bring the Stanley Cup home to its rightful place in Ottawa."[111] All three players were subsequently traded before the 2019 trade deadline. Duchene and Dzingel were traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for draft picks, prospects and Anthony Duclair. In contrast, fan favourite Mark Stone was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for prospect Erik Brannstrom, forward Oscar Lindberg and a second-round pick.[112] Just days after trading away the team's three leading scorers, it was announced that the plans for a new downtown arena on the open land at Lebreton Flats had fallen through. The Ottawa Citizen called it "one of the gloomiest weeks in the history of the Ottawa Senators."[113] On March 1, 2019, with the team in 31st place, head coach Guy Boucher was fired with associate coach Marc Crawford taking over as head coach for the remainder of the season.[114] The 2018–19 season saw the team finish last in the NHL without their own first-round draft pick. This marked the first time since 1995–96 that the Senators missed back-to-back playoff appearances.[115]

Prior to the 2019–20 season, D. J. Smith was hired as the new head coach while the organization shifted its focus to developing its young players. The season was ultimately cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Senators finished second last in the NHL with 62 points in 71 games. In contrast, Ottawa's farm team, the Belleville Senators, put together a very impressive, albeit shortened season led by Ottawa's top prospects, which included Josh Norris, Drake Batherson, Alex Formenton and Erik Brannstrom among others.[116] Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks suffered an unexpected collapse that year which significantly benefited the Senators who had acquired their first-round draft pick in the Erik Karlsson trade.[117] Ottawa found themselves with the third and fifth picks in the 2020 NHL draft and used them to select highly touted prospects Tim Stuetzle and Jake Sanderson.[118]

The Senators would miss the playoffs again for the 2020–21 season, a season overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The young team played an all-Canadian shortened season, during which they had a poor record to start the season but finished the season with a strong stretch of play, inspiring some optimism for the future.[119] The Senators again traded away veterans at the trade deadline for draft picks.[120]

Before the 2021–22 season, general manager Pierre Dorion's contract was extended until 2025. He proceeded to declare: "The rebuild is done. Now we're stepping into another zone." His claims, however, did not materialize as the Senators got off to a slow start and were quickly out of the playoff picture.[121] On October 17, 2021, Brady Tkachuk signed a seven-year deal after a dramatic contract holdout.[122] Just under three weeks later, he was named the 10th captain in franchise history at just 22 years of age. Tkachuk was, at the time, the franchise's youngest-ever captain.[123]

Ahead of the 2022–23 season, the team was aggressive in their efforts to exit their rebuild, drastically retooling the team through the acquisitions of forwards Alex DeBrincat and Claude Giroux and goaltender Cam Talbot.[124][125][126] In addition, the team signed Josh Norris and Tim Stuetzle to eight-year contract extensions.[127] At the end of the season, the Senators missed the playoffs by six points.[128]

Before the 2023–24 season, DeBrincat notified the Senators he would not re-sign long-term with the club and was traded to Detroit. Talbot was not re-signed. Instead, the Senators signed free agents – goaltender Joonas Korpisalo and forward Vladimir Tarasenko. At the start of the 2023–24 season, the NHL levied the forfeiture of a first-round pick due to negligence on the part of the Senators involving the trade of Evgeni Dadonov. Dorion resigned as general manager upon being asked to step down by owner Michael Andlauer.[129] After an 11–15–0 start to the season, the Senators fired D.J. Smith on December 18, 2023 and former head coach Jacques Martin, who had been serving as a senior advisor stepped in as interim coach until the end of the season.[130]

Death of owner Eugene Melnyk and sale[]

Owner Eugene Melnyk died in March 2022 due to an unspecified illness.[131] In statements in recent years, Melnyk had said that he planned to leave the team to his two daughters Olivia and Anna when he had been asked if he intended to sell the team. However, there had been speculation about ownership changes.[132] The team added an 'EM' patch on the jersey for the rest of the season.[133] In November 2022, the team engaged a New York City investment banker to facilitate a sale of the team.[134] The Senators confirmed the planned sale in a press release on November 5, with a condition of sale being that the team must remain within Ottawa under any circumstances.[135] On June 13, 2023, the Senators announced that a purchase agreement had been signed with a group of investors headed by Michael Andlauer, a Toronto businessman and part-owner of the Montreal Canadiens.[136] Andlauer became majority owner along with his partners, Eugene Melnyk's daughters, and a group of Canadian businessmen on September 21, 2023.[137]

Team information[]

Sens-07-08-jerseys

Current home and away jerseys

Logo and jersey design[]

The team colours are red, black and white, like the original era Senators, and like other Ottawa sports teams (such as the Ottawa Renegades, Rough Riders and 67s), with added trim of gold. The team's away jersey is mostly white with red and black trim, while the home jersey is red, with white and black trim.

The club logo is officially the head of a Roman general, a member of the Senate of the Roman Empire,[138] projecting from a gold circle. There have been several versions. The original, unveiled on May 23, 1991, described the general as a "centurian figure, strong and prominent" according to its designer, Tony Milchard.[138] Milchard intended the logo to be similar to that of the Chicago Blackhawks head logo. Leaked before its unveiling, the logo design was unpopular with fans, being compared unfavourably to the American Express card, the USC Trojans and the Trojan condom.[138] The original had the words "Ottawa Senators" within the circle. This logo was slightly revised in 1998 to remove the team name from the gold circle and replace it with laurels.

Ottawasenatorsjerseys

Jerseys 2000–2007, white(1992), red (1998) and black (2000).

In 1998, the Senators unveiled their alternate logo, taking the head, which had been in profile, and rotating it so that it was face-first. The new logo was unveiled with a new red home jersey, at the start an alternate jersey.[139] On the shoulder, the original logo was used as a shoulder patch. The original dark jersey, (then the 'away' jersey) which was mostly black, was retired after the season. The red jersey was in use until 2007.

Starting in July 2000, the Senators reused the alternate logo on another third jersey, designed by Ottawa firm Hoselton Brunet, this one black with red and gold sleeves and a gold stripe with laurel leaves along the bottom of the jersey.[140] On the shoulders, was a modified version of the original Peace Tower logo of the expansion campaign, which the management liked.[140] Like the original logo, this design was leaked onto the Internet.[140] This jersey was in use until 2007 also.

OriginalOttawaSenators

New 'old' shoulder-patch logo

On August 22, 2007, the Senators unveiled a set of new jerseys, which have a more refined, streamlined look to them,[141] designed by Ottawa firm Acart Communications. The team retired all three previous jerseys and will not have a third jersey for the current season. The updated look comes in conjunction with the launch of the new Rbk EDGE jerseys by Reebok, adopted league-wide for the 2007-08 NHL season.

At the same time, the team updated its logos. The new primary logo is an update of the old secondary logo, which according to team owner Eugene Melnyk, "represents strength and determination."[142] The logo was modified in several ways, updating the facial features, removing facial colouring, reducing size of the gold semi-circle and updating the cape of the warrior.[143]The new secondary logo is an update of the old primary logo. Only the primary logo will appear on the jerseys, as the secondary logo will be on Sens' merchandise. The new shoulder patch 'O' logo replaces the winged 'S' 'established MDCCCXCIV' (1894) shoulder patch with the jersey logo of the original Ottawa Senators club.[143]

Spartacat[]

Main article: Spartacat

Spartacat, the official mascot of the Senators, is an anthropomorphic lion. He is unable to talk but expresses himself through 'wild gestures' and a 'constant smile'. He appears at all Senators home games and makes special appearances at charity and community events. He made his debut on Senators' opening night October 8, 1992.[144]

Sens Army[]

The fans of the Senators are known as the Sens Army.[145] Like most hockey fanatics, they are known to dress up for games; most in some sort of Roman legionary clothing. For the 2006-2007 playoff run, more fans then ever before would wear red, and fan activities included 'Red Rallies' of decorated cars, fan rallies at Ottawa City Hall Plaza and the 'Sens Mile' along Elgin Street where fans would congregate.[146] At many home games the fans are entertained both outside and inside Scotiabank Place with a myriad of talent - live music, rock bands, giveaways and promotions. The live music includes the traditional Scottish music of the 'Sons of Scotland Pipe Band' of Ottawa along with highland dancers.[147]

Broadcasting[]

On television, home and away games are broadcast on Rogers Sportsnet and A-Channel. The Senators are restricted to broadcasting to the Ottawa River valley and Eastern Ontario. Rogers Sportsnet also broadcasts games into Quebec and the Maritime provinces. National coverage is less frequent; however national broadcasting is usually done by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), which has increased the number of Senators games broadcast on Hockey Night in Canada in 2006-07 compared to previous seasons.

Several games are only available in video on pay-per-view at local movie theatres in the Ottawa area. The play-by-play for these pay-per-view games are usually done by Dean Brown, often known as "the voice of the Senators,"[148] and Gord Wilson with the color commentary. This started in the 2006-07 season, with a broadcast of a game at Detroit on December 12, 2006.

On radio, all home and away games are broadcast on a network of local stations in eastern Ontario. The 'flagship' radio station is the Ottawa station 'Team 1200', which produces the broadcasts and provides the play-by-play announcers. The Team 1200 audio is available over the Internet, and games are simulcast from the NHL main web site.

Attendance and Revenues[]

Home attendance in the 2006-07 regular season was 794,271, with 31 sell-outs out of 41 home dates or an average attendance of 19,372. This was the second-highest total in Senators's history, after the 2005-06 season total of 798,453 and 33 sell-outs. In the playoffs, the Senators played 9 games with 8 sell-outs and an attendance of 181,272 for an average of 20,141, the highest in team history.[149]

On November 8, 2007, a Forbes Magazine report valued the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club at $186 million, (14th highest in NHL) with an operating income of $10.4 million (7th highest) on revenues of $93 million (7th highest) in 2006-07. Revenues and income were the team's highest in its history. The gate receipts for the 2006-07 season were $45 million. Forbes estimates that the organization has debt of $109 million, including arena debt.[150] Eugene Melnyk bought the team for $92 million in 2003.[151]

Bell Sensplex[]

In 2004, the Senators, in a partnership with the City of Ottawa, built the Bell Sensplex, a four-pad ice facility, for community and team use. Opened in December 2004, it is used for team practices and minor hockey. The facility is the main arena for the annual Bell Capital Cup, open to 'atom' and 'pee-wee' age group teams, held between Christmas Day and New Year's. The tournament attracts over 500 teams annually and bills itself as "the world's largest hockey tournament."[152] The Sensplex is located near Scotiabank Place in the Kanata district of Ottawa.


Season-by-season record[]

The Senators won the President's Trophy in the 2002–03 season for placing first in the league overall during the regular season. The team was defeated in the Eastern Conference Final. During the 2004–05 NHL season, the team operated its affiliated teams and office, but the team itself did not play due to the lockout. The team advanced to the Stanley Cup Final in the 2006–07 season but lost in five games. In 2016–17, the Senators advanced to the Eastern Conference Final again, but lost in the seventh game in double overtime.

Stanley Cup Champions Conference Champions Division Champions League Leader

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, PIM = Penalties In Minutes

[153]

Season Team GP W L T OTL Pts GF GA PIM Finish Playoffs
1992–93 1992–93 84 10 70 4 24 202 395 1716 6th, Adams Did not qualify
1993–94 1993–94 84 14 61 9 37 201 397 1710 7th, Northeast Did not qualify
1994–95[a] 1994–95 48 9 34 5 23 117 174 749 7th, Northeast Did not qualify
1995–96 1995–96 82 18 59 5 41 191 291 1553 6th, Northeast Did not qualify
1996–97 1996–97 82 31 36 15 77 226 234 1087 3rd, Northeast Lost Conference Quarterfinals, 3–4 (Sabres)
1997–98 1997–98 82 34 33 15 83 193 200 1091 5th, Northeast Won Conference Quarterfinals, 4–2 (Devils)
Lost Conference Semifinals, 1–4 (Capitals)
1998–99 1998–99 82 44 23 15 103 239 179 892 1st, Northeast Lost Conference Quarterfinals, 0–4 (Sabres)
1999–2000 1999–2000 82 41 28 11 2[b] 95 244 210 850 2nd, Northeast Lost Conference Quarterfinals, 2–4 (Maple Leafs)
2000–01 2000–01 82 48 21 9 4 109 274 205 1062 1st, Northeast Lost Conference Quarterfinals, 0–4 (Maple Leafs)
2001–02 2001–02 82 39 27 9 7 94 243 208 1347 3rd, Northeast Won Conference Quarterfinals, 4–1 (Flyers)
Lost Conference Semifinals, 3–4 (Maple Leafs)
2002–03 2002–03 82 52 21 8 1 113 263 182 1135 1st, Northeast Won Conference Quarterfinals, 4–1 (Islanders)
Won Conference Semifinals, 4–2 (Flyers)
Lost Conference Finals, 3–4 (Devils)
2003–04 2003–04 82 43 23 10 6 102 262 189 1270 3rd, Northeast Lost Conference Quarterfinals, 3–4 (Maple Leafs)
2004–05[c] 2004–05 Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL Lockout
2005–06 2005–06 82 52 21 [d] 9 113 314 211 1462 1st, Northeast Won Conference Quarterfinals, 4–1 (Lightning)
Lost Conference Semifinals, 1–4 (Sabres)
2006–07 2006–07 82 48 25 9 105 288 222 1173 2nd, Northeast Won Conference Quarterfinals, 4–1 (Penguins)
Won Conference Semifinals, 4–1 (Devils)
Won Conference Finals, 4–1 (Sabres)
Lost Stanley Cup Finals, 1–4 (Ducks)
2007–08 2007–08 82 43 31 8 94 261 247 1175 2nd, Northeast Lost Conference Quarterfinals, 0–4 (Penguins)
2008–09 2008–09 82 36 35 11 83 217 237 1098 4th, Northeast Did not qualify
2009–10 2009–10 82 44 32 6 94 225 238 1076 2nd, Northeast Lost Conference Quarterfinals, 2–4 (Penguins)
2010–11 2010–11 82 32 40 10 74 192 250 1149 5th, Northeast Did not qualify
2011–12 2011–12 82 41 31 10 92 249 240 1145 2nd, Northeast Lost Conference Quarterfinals, 3–4 (Rangers)
2012–13[e] 2012–13 48 25 17 6 56 116 104 655 4th, Northeast Won Conference Quarterfinals, 4–1 (Canadiens)
Lost Conference Semifinals, 1–4 (Penguins)
2013–14 2013–14 82 37 31 14 88 236 265 1094 5th, Atlantic Did not qualify
2014–15 2014–15 82 43 26 13 99 238 215 841 4th, Atlantic Lost First Round, 2–4 (Canadiens)
2015–16 2015–16 82 38 35 9 85 236 247 892 5th, Atlantic Did not qualify
2016–17 2016–17 82 44 28 10 98 212 214 848 2nd, Atlantic Won First Round, 4–2 (Bruins)
Won Second Round, 4–2 (Rangers)
Lost Conference Finals, 3–4 (Penguins)
2017–18 2017–18 82 28 43 11 67 221 291 667 7th, Atlantic Did not qualify
2018–19 2018–19 82 29 47 6 64 242 302 693 8th, Atlantic Did not qualify
Regular season totals1 2068 923 878 115 152 2113 5902 6147 28430 4 division titles Playoffs
Playoff totals2 151 72 79 357 372 2109 All time series record: 11–16
Grand totals3 2219 995 957 115 152 2113 6259 6519 30539


1 Totals through the 2018–19 season
2 Totals through the 2018–19 season
3 Totals through the 2018–19 season

See also[]

References[]

All-time playoff record versus opponents[]

Team SP SW SL Pcnt GP W L Pcnt GF GA OT H AW
Anaheim Ducks 1 0 1 .000 5 1 4 .200 11 16 0-0 1-1 0-3
Buffalo Sabres 4 1 3 .250 21 8 13 .381 47 52 3-5 2-8 6-5
Montreal Canadiens 2 1 1 .500 11 6 5 .545 32 21 1-2 3-2 3-3
New Jersey Devils 3 2 1 .667 18 11 7 .611 41 40 4-1 7-2 4-5
New York Islanders 1 1 0 1.000 5 4 1 .800 13 7 1-0 2-1 2-0
New York Rangers 1 0 1 .000 7 3 4 .429 13 14 2-0 1-3 2-2
Philadelphia Flyers 2 2 0 1.000 11 8 3 .727 28 12 2-1 4-1 4-2
Pittsburgh Penguins 4 1 3 .250 20 7 13 .350 53 72 2-1 3-7 4-6
Tampa Bay Lightning 1 1 0 1.000 5 4 1 .800 23 13 0-0 2-1 2-0
Toronto Maple Leafs 4 0 4 .000 24 8 16 .333 42 57 1-4 5-6 3-10
Washington Capitals 1 0 1 .000 5 1 4 .200 7 18 0-0 1-1 0-3
Totals 24 9 15 .375 132 61 71 .462 310 322 16-14 31-32 30-39

Statistics above are correct as of the end of the 2014–15 season.

Source: Ottawa Senators[159]

Roster[]

Current roster[]

Updated January 1, 2024[160][161]

# Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
19 Flag of Canada Batherson, DrakeDrake Batherson

RW R 27 2017 Fort Wayne, Indiana
24 Flag of Canada Bernard-Docker, JacobJacob Bernard-Docker

D R 24 2018 Canmore, Alberta
26 Flag of Sweden Brannstrom, ErikErik Brannstrom

D L 25 2019 Eksjö, Sweden
72 Flag of Canada Chabot, ThomasThomas Chabot

 (AInjured Reserve

D L 28 2015 Sainte-Marie, Quebec
49 Flag of Canada Chartier, RourkeRourke Chartier

 Injured Reserve

C L 29 2022 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
6 Flag of Canada Chychrun, JakobJakob Chychrun

D L 27 2023 Boca Raton, Florida
59 Flag of Canada Crookshank, AngusAngus Crookshank

LW L 25 2018 North Vancouver, British Columbia
31 Flag of Sweden Forsberg, AntonAnton Forsberg

G L 32 2021 Härnösand, Sweden
28 Flag of Canada Giroux, ClaudeClaude Giroux

 (A)

RW R 37 2022 Hearst, Ontario
71 Flag of Canada Greig, RidlyRidly Greig

C L 22 2020 Calgary, Alberta
23 Flag of Canada Hamonic, TravisTravis Hamonic

D R 34 2022 St. Malo, Manitoba
21 Flag of Canada Joseph, MathieuMathieu Joseph

 Injured Reserve

RW L 28 2022 Laval, Quebec
12 Flag of the United States Kastelic, MarkMark Kastelic

C R 26 2019 Phoenix, Arizona
27 Flag of Canada Kelly, ParkerParker Kelly

C L 26 2021 Camrose, Alberta
70 Flag of Finland Korpisalo, JoonasJoonas Korpisalo

G L 31 2023 Pori, Finland
81 Flag of the Czech Republic Kubalik, DominikDominik Kubalik

LW L 29 2023 Plzen, Czech Republic
32 Flag of Sweden Larsson, JacobJacob Larsson

D L 28 2022 Ljungby, Sweden
17 Flag of Canada MacEwen, ZackZack MacEwen

RW R 28 2023 Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
9 Flag of the United States Norris, JoshJosh Norris

C L 26 2018 Oxford, Michigan
57 Flag of the United States Pinto, ShaneShane Pinto

 (RFA)

C R 24 2019 Franklin Square, New York
85 Flag of the United States Sanderson, JakeJake Sanderson

D L 22 2020 Whitefish, Montana
13 Flag of the Czech Republic Smejkal, JiriJiri Smejkal

LW L 28 2023 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
18 Flag of Germany Stuetzle, TimTim Stuetzle

C/LW L 23 2020 Viersen, Germany
91 Flag of Russia Tarasenko, VladimirVladimir Tarasenko

RW L 33 2023 Yaroslavl, Soviet Union
7 Flag of the United States Tkachuk, BradyBrady Tkachuk

 (C)

LW L 25 2018 Scottsdale, Arizona
2 Flag of Russia Zub, ArtyomArtyom Zub

D R 29 2020 Khabarovsk, Russia

Team captains[]


Honoured members[]

Hall of Famers[]

  • Roger Neilson - Senators assistant coach & head coach (2001-03), was inducted on November 4, 2002 (as a Builder) for his career in NHL coaching.

Retired numbers[]

8 - Frank Finnigan, on opening night, October 8, 1992. Finnigan was honoured for his play from 1923 through 1934 for the original Ottawa Senators (as a right wing, 1923-31 & 1932-34). He was the last surviving Senator from the Stanley Cup winners of 1927 and participated in the 'Bring Back The Senators' campaign.

99 - Wayne Gretzky, on February 6, 2000. Gretzky's sweater number was retired league-wide by the NHL.

Source: NHL staff (2001). National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2002. Dan Diamond & Associates. 

First-round draft picks[]

Source: Ottawa Senators staff (2007). Ottawa Senators Media Guide 2007-08. Ottawa Senators. 

Team scoring leaders[]

These are the top-ten point-scorers in franchise history, post-1992, after the 2006-07 season:

Player Pos GP G A Pts P/G
Daniel Alfredsson RW 1178 426 682 1108 .94
Jason Spezza* C 686 251 436 687 1,001
Alexei Yashin C 504 218 273 491 .97
Wade Redden D 838 101 309 410 .49
Radek Bonk C 689 152 247 399 .58
Marian Hossa RW 467 188 202 390 .84
Dany Heatley LW 317 180 182 362 1,14
Mike Fisher LW 675 167 181 348 .52
Shawn McEachern LW 454 142 162 304 .67
Chris Phillips* D 1143 71 214 285 .25

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game; * = current Senators player

Source: Ottawa Senators staff (2007). Ottawa Senators Media Guide 2007-08. Ottawa Senators. 

Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season.

NHL awards and trophies[]

Team records[]

Franchise record Name of player Statistic Year(s)
Most Goals in a season Dany Heatley 50 2005-06
2006-07
Most Assists in a season Jason Spezza 71 2005-06
Most Points in a season Dany Heatley 105 2006-07
Most Points in a season, defenseman Erik Karlsson 78 2011-12
Most Points in a season, rookie Alexei Yashin 79 1993-94
Most Penalty Minutes in a season Mike Peluso 318 1992-93
Highest +/- rating in a season Daniel Alfredsson +42 2006-07
Most playoff games played Daniel Alfredsson 99 (milestone)
Most goaltender wins in a season Patrick Lalime 39 2002-03
Most shutouts in a season Patrick Lalime 8 2002-03
Lowest G.A.A. in a season Ron Tugnutt 1.79 1998-99
Best SV% in a season Dominik Hasek .925 2005-06

Source: Ottawa Senators staff (2007). Ottawa Senators Media Guide 2007-08. Ottawa Senators. 

References[]

Bibliography[]

  • Finnigan, Joan (1992). Old Scores, New Goals: The Story of the Ottawa Senators. Quarry Press. ISBN 1550820419. 
  • MacGregor, Roy (1996). Ottawa Senators. Creative Education. ISBN 0886826829. 
  • MacGregor, Roy (1993). Road games : a year in the life of the NHL. Macfarlane Walter & Ross. ISBN 0921912587. 
  • McKinley, Michael (1998). Etched in ice : a tribute to hockey's defining moments. Vancouver: Greystone Books. ISBN 1550546546. 
  • NHL staff (2001). National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2002. Dan Diamond & Associates. 
  • Robinson, Chris (2004). Ottawa Senators : great stories from the NHL's first dynasty. Altitude Publishing. ISBN 1551537907. 
  • Stein, Gil (1997). Power Plays: An Inside Look at the Big Business of the National Hockey League. Birch Lane Press. ISBN 1559724226. 

Notes[]

  1. NHL counts 11. Hockey Hall of Fame count is 10.
  2. "Ottawa Team Is Expected to Join Quebec Amateur Hockey Circuit", July 26, 1934, pp. 12. 
  3. "St Louis Out of Title Hunt: League Buys Franchise Splits Players Among Remaining Eight Clubs", October 16, 1935. 
  4. Finnigan 1992, pp. pp. 196–197.
  5. Finnigan 1992, p. 201.
  6. Mayoh, Rick. "HOCKEY: Bridgman at the helm; Senators plot NHL course with rookie general manager", Ottawa Citizen, August 31, 1991, p. G1. 
  7. Scanlan, Wayne. "Maybe Rome was built in a day; Senators in stunning 5–3 debut victory over Habs; 10,449 fans went wild and it was magical", October 9, 1992, pp. A1. 
  8. Kreiser, John (September 14, 2012). Seven team records likely to stand test of time. Retrieved on March 30, 2022.
  9. 9.0 9.1 MacGregor 1993, p.250
  10. May, Kathryn. "OTTAWA SENATORS; Names behind money revealed", February 27, 1992, p. B1. 
  11. MacGregor, Roy. "Exit the Dreamer; Why the Ottawa Senators' disillusioned founder sold out", August 18, 1993, p. A1. 
  12. Duhatschek, Eric. "Rent-a-player moves don't guarantee success", The Globe and Mail, March 9, 2001. 
  13. Casey, Tom. "A decade of comings and goings: (Part 1): A guide to Senators, past and present, and what they're doing today: with files from Ken Warren", October 4, 2001, p. E3. 
  14. Casey, Tom. "A decade of comings and goings: (Part 2)", October 4, 2001, p. E3. 
  15. Warren, Ken. "Gauthier takes over Senators' helm", December 12, 1995, pp. C2. 
  16. MacGregor, Roy. "Promise and pain at the Palladium: Finally, Senators find the spark; Fans love new coach and his new ways", January 25, 1996, pp. A1. 
  17. 17.0 17.1 Garrioch 1998, p. 227.
  18. Panzeri, Allen. "Criticism stings Martin: Senators' coach defends club's playing style, coaching approach", April 27, 2000, pp. F1. 
  19. Feschuk, Scott. "Battle of Ontario is a lame name, no butts about it", April 13, 2000, pp. B16. 
  20. "Between Leafs and Dogs, fans savour hockey feast", April 26, 2000, pp. A14. 
  21. Shoalts, David. "Toronto sweeps theories", April 19, 2001, pp. B1. 
  22. "Sens dump headache, get scorer", June 24, 2001, pp. B1. 
  23. Warren, Ken. "Senators keep coach, but GM is leaving: Johnston opts to go", May 18, 2002, pp. S2. 
  24. Naylor, David. "Mlakar makes Muckler GM, best man", June 13, 2002, pp. D2. 
  25. "Ottawa could lose Sens: NHL club files for bankruptcy protection, franchise may leave town", January 10, 2003, p. 17. 
  26. Kyte, Jim. "Senators edged by the better team", June 7, 2003, pp. F2. 
  27. Scanlon, Wayne. "Creator and victim of high expectations", April 23, 2004, pp. A1. 
  28. 28.0 28.1 "Sale will help keep Senators in Ottawa; Move won't result in cutting team's payroll, Rod Bryden says", January 9, 2002, p. C1. 
  29. Erwin, Steve. "Creditors agree to conditional sale of Ottawa Senators to Rod Bryden", Canadian Press NewsWire, February 23, 2003. 
  30. Davidi, Shi. "Rod Bryden's deal to repurchase the Ottawa: Senators falls through; team back on market", February 28, 2003, p. 49. 
  31. "Billionaire Melnyk reaches deal to purchase Senators", April 28, 2003, pp. C2. 
  32. "Melnyk promises stable ownership: Purchase of Senators officially closed Tuesday", August 27, 2003, p. B2. 
  33. Bagnall, James. "Under Eugene Melnyk, Senators have lost $94 million", The Ottawa Citizen, August 15, 2013. 
  34. Panzeri, Allen. "Lalime exits Senators: Senators ship goaltender to Blues for draft pick", June 28, 2004, pp. C1. 
  35. Campbell, Ken. "Senators go for more bucks and less Bonk; Trade to Habs opens door for Hasek", June 27, 2004. 
  36. "A Capital Goaltender", July 7, 2004, pp. E04. 
  37. Rotenberg, David. "Hossa-for-Heatley trade was best deal available", September 12, 2005, p. A13. 
  38. Willes, Ed. "Printers of old missed: He could have run for mayor", October 3, 2003, pp. A43. 
  39. Citizen staff. "The Cash Line easily wins the vote", November 17, 2005, pp. C1. 
  40. Garrioch, Bruce (October 30, 2007). "Team Reports". The Hockey News. 
  41. Scanlan, Wayne. "Hasek likely finished", February 16, 2006, pp. C3. 
  42. "SI.Com predictions", CNN, April 21, 2006. 
  43. Campbell, Ken. "Senators fold in playoffs again; SABRES 3 SENATORS 2 Sabres WIN series 4-1 Ottawa just can't shake choker label", May 14, 2006, p. B03. 
  44. Naylor, David. "Senators off to Stanley Cup final", The Globe and Mail (Online), May 19, 2007. 
  45. Wallace, Lisa (May 29, 2007). Ottawa Unites to embrace Senators. The Sports Network.
  46. Keating, Steve. "Ottawa captivated by Stanley Cup finals return", Reuters, May 29, 2007. 
  47. Peters, Ken. "Tale of two cities: Fired-up Ottawa, laid-back Anaheim", USA Today, May 29, 2007. 
  48. Fitzpatrick, Meagan (May 24, 2007). Ottawa Senators fans paint the town red. CanWest News Service.
  49. "Ducks destroy Senators to win Stanley Cup", CBCSports.ca, June 7, 2007. 
  50. 50.0 50.1 Yzerman, Chris. "Murray in, Muckler out; Senators fire Muckler, promote head coach Murray to GM", June 19, 2007, p. SP2. 
  51. Scanlan, Wayne. "Experience makes Paddock best pick", July 7, 2007, p. C4. 
  52. Panzeri, Allen. "Senators fire Paddock after loss to Boston", February 28, 2008, p. B3. 
  53. Garrioch, Bruce. "Senators buy out Emery", The Edmonton Sun, June 21, 2008, p. S.5. 
  54. 54.0 54.1 "Senators sign coach Clouston to new deal", April 9, 2009, p. F.2. 
  55. "A history of the Ottawa Senators big trades", Postmedia Network Inc., September 13, 2018. 
  56. Garrioch, Bruce. "Senators survive in 3OT ; NHL PLAYOFFS: Matt Carkner staves off elimination by scoring off a deflection to end the longest game in Ottawa's history", April 23, 2010, p. D.1. 
  57. "Senators' playoff drive crashes to a halt", April 26, 2010, p. B2. 
  58. Garrioch, Bruce. "Sun exclusive: Melnyk breaks silence", Ottawa Sun, January 23, 2011. 
  59. MacGregor, Roy. "Senators set the dynamite and prepare to blow things up", The Globe and Mail, January 24, 2011. 
  60. Brennan, Don. "Murray: I want to stay on as Sens GM", Ottawa Sun, January 24, 2011. 
  61. The Canadian Press. "Ottawa radio station bans Carrie Underwood music after Sens trade", February 10, 2011. 
  62. "Rebuild mode: Boston acquires Chris Kelly from Ottawa for a second-round pick", February 16, 2011. 
  63. "Senators send left-winger Jarkko Ruutu to Anaheim Ducks for sixth-round pick", February 17, 2011. 
  64. Yzerman, Chris. "Senators acquire goalie Craig Anderson from Avalanche for Brian Elliott", February 18, 2011. 
  65. Yzerman, Chris. "Ottawa Senators send Alex Kovalev to Pittsburgh Penguins for draft pick", February 24, 2011. 
  66. Panzeri, Allen. "When the dealing's done; Sens trade Campoli to Chicago for Potulny, pick, claim goalie McElhinney off waivers from Tampa", March 1, 2011, p. B.1. 
  67. Yzerman, Chris. "Senators sign goaltender Craig Anderson to $12.75-million, four-year extension", March 21, 2011. 
  68. "Murray agrees to three-year deal to stay as Senators' GM", TSN, April 8, 2011. 
  69. 69.0 69.1 "Ottawa fires coach Cory Clouston after disappointing season", April 11, 2011, p. 10. 
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  79. Arthur, Bruce. "Penguins simply too much for Senators", May 25, 2013, p. E1. 
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  82. Whyno, Stephen. "With Olympic agreement reached, NHL releases its 2013-14 schedule", July 19, 2013. 
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  86. Spencer, Donna. "Senators acquire Hemsky from Oilers, sign Phillips to contract extension", March 5, 2014. 
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  98. BREAKING: Murray steps down, Dorion named new Sens GM. Ottawa Citizen (April 10, 2016).
  99. Senators fire coach Dave Cameron, his staff. CBS Sports (April 12, 2016).
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  111. Melnyk pledges to spend close to salary cap (February 7, 2019).
  112. Senators trade star forward Mark Stone to Golden Knights.
  113. LeBreton Flats redevelopment talks have failed; Melnyk says 'alternative' arena locations could be explored.
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