Ottawa Senators & Their History Of Messy “Break-Ups”
Daniel Alfredsson‘s breakup with the Ottawa Senators last week hurt a lot of people, and although opinions are split about where the blame lies, the fact is that it is disappointing and hard to accept for many fans.
Jun 24, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing
Marian Hossa(81) celebrates with goalie
Ray Emery(30) after defeating the Boston Bruins 3-2 in game six of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
However, as tough as it is to move on, it is definitely not the first time the Senators have had an ugly split with one of their own. Here is a list of some of the ugliest.
Yashin in his after-Ottawa home
The first star player, and the first player selected in the NHL entry draft for a young franchise. Yashin was beloved for a time, but contract holdouts and a renege on a million dollar donation to the NAC soured the fans on the centre.
THE BREAK-UP – Ottawa dealt Yashin to the Islanders at the 2001 draft, netting a package that included Zdeno Chara and the draft pick that would become Jason Spezza.
AFTER THE SENS: Yashin played 5 seasons for the Islanders before being bought out of the remaining 4 years of his contract, which the Islanders are still paying $2.2M per year for.
Jun 19, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing
Marian Hossa(81) warms up before game four of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ivins-USA TODAY Sports
When you get to the point that you are set to get paid, you better be careful what you wish for. Marian Hossa found that out the hard way, and John Muckler made him pay for his demands. Hossa went for the dollars, held firm to his demands.
THE BREAK-UP: On the day that Hossa signed a 3 year, $18M deal with the Senators, he was shipped to the Thrashers for Dany Heatley.
AFTER THE SENS: After spinning his wheels with a sad Atlanta franchise, he was a deadline deal pickup for the Penguins in 2008, making the finals. He jumped to the Red Wings, the team he lost to the previous season in the finals, and again made it to the finals, losing, ironically enough, the Penguins. He finally signed on in Chicago, and won 2 Stanley Cups with the Hawks.
Mar 25, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Minnesota Wild right wing
Dany Heatley(15) skates in the Dallas Stars zone during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Wild defeated the Stars 7-4. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The back to back 50 goal scorer had it made, but his conflict with Cory Clouston caused a rift between the sniper and the team that resulted in his request for a trade. He forced his hand to get moved to a team he wanted, blocking a trade to the Oilers.
THE BREAK-UP: Murray found a landing spot for Heatley, getting Milan Michalek, Jonathan Cheechoo and a draft pick.
AFTER THE SENS: Heatley wore out his welcome in San Jose and ended up in Minnesota.
Coming out of the 2004-05 lockout, the Senators had two new members that were supposed to take them to the promised land. Heatley was one, and Hasek was the other. The aging netminder was great in Ottawa but a torn adducter muscle at the 2006 Olympics derailed his season and he didn’t play again for Ottawa. Depsite looking good in practice and pleas from his teammates to give it a shot in the post-season, Hasek remained on the sidelines forcing a young and immature Ray Emery to shoulder the load before he was ready.
THE BREAK-UP: Hasek walked after the season was over, and the Senators chose not to re-sign him even though he offered to return for a salary of $500,000.
AFTER THE SENS: He won the Cup two years later with the ….Red Wings.
Jun 22, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing
Bryan Bickell(29) is shoved by Boston Bruins defenseman
Zdeno Chara(33) during the first period in game five of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
When he came to the Senators he was a big man who wasn’t yet a “hockey player”. Under Jacques Martin, Chara blossomed into a great all-around defenseman and Norris Trophy candidate and teamed with Chris Phillips for a great shutdown paring.
THE BREAK-UP: Despite the Senators attempts to resign both Chara and Wade Redden to identical contracts in the spring of 2006, Chara instead decided to leave and test free agency, signing a monster 6 year, $37.5M contract with the divisional rival Boston Bruins.
AFTER THE SENS: Chara instantly became the captain of the Bruins, and has led them to the finals twice, winning the Cup in 2011. He won the Norris Trophy in 2009 as was a finalist on 2 other occasions.
Apr 9, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Ray Emery (30) makes a save during the third period against the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
After being the goaltender of record by default with Hasek’s injury in 2006, Emery competed with new #1 Martin Gerber during the 2006-07 season, eventually supplanting Gerber to help the Senators get to the Stanley Cup finals in 2007. However, off-ice antics and constant scrutiny of his behavior led to a parting of the ways.
THE BREAK-UP: The Senators bought Emery out one year after making the Finals, paying him 1/3 of the remaining $6.75M over the next 4 years.
AFTER THE SENS: Emery went on a whirlwind tour. He went to the KHL, Philly, Anaheim, and finally getting a cup in Chicago before signing on in Philadelphia next season.
So looking at it, it should be no surprise that Daniel Alfredsson left the Senators. It seems like the Senators, for whatever reason don’t have much success in hanging onto their best players and keeping them happy (of vice versa).
So with the “budget” in place at Canadian Tire Centre, the question is, Who is next, and how messy will it be?