21. Antoine Vermette
Stats: 359GP, 80G, 167P
Height/Weight: 6foot1, 198lbs
Acquired: 2000 NHL Entry Draft (2nd Round)
While Bryan Murray called moving Antoine Vermette an extremely hard move to make, you can still trace Vermette back to a current, young asset in the Senators organization. That asset is top ranked prospect Colin White.
Originally, the Vermette deal was mainly looked upon as a loss as the main piece in return was Pascal Leclaire; obviously a complete bust. However, with the 2nd round pick received in the deal, the Senators took another goaltender in Robin Lehner.
Of course, Lehner was then moved this off-season and in exchange brought back a 2015 1st rounder and the chance to select Colin White. Vermette was always known as a responsible player, and prospect Colin White seems to hold many of the same aspects.
Is White the second coming of Vermette for the Senators? There’s a possibility that their games match up well.
And if that’s the case, you could understand the Senators being happy. During Vermette’s years in Ottawa, he was a consistent performer and a two-way center capable of putting up 20 goals and around 50 points.
His best season came while in Columbus, as he was centered with Rick Nash and registered 65 points.
Vermette was a steady Senator and remains a steady NHLer. He’s set to return to Arizona this upcoming year after winning a cup and as his career winds down. Vermette’s 350+ games as a Senator earns him a pretty favourable ranking on this list.
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There we are up to number 21, we are getting closer to the top 10.
Stay tuned as the rest will be rolled out over the coming days.
Of course, if you missed parts one or two. Make sure to give them a read here and here.
Next: The 50 Greatest Ottawa Senators Of All-Time: #50 - #41