The 50 Greatest Ottawa Senators Of All-Time: #10 – #1
We are into the final piece of our top 50 Senators list.
If you missed the other parts, be sure to check them out here:
Part One: #50 – #51
Part Two: #40 – #31
Part Three: #30 – #21
Part Four: #20 – #11
Kicking off part number 5..
10. Martin Havlat
Dec 13, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; New Jersey Devils right wing Martin Havlat (9) skates against the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Devils 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 171 GP, 39G, 102P
Height/Weight: 6foot2, 210lbs
Acquired: 1999 NHL Draft (26th Overall)
Martin Havlat left Ottawa far too soon. The Senators had a young star under their control who was capable of 60-70 points each year and made a regrettable move by sending him away as a young player. He was a home-grown product and had already put up 59 and 68 point years in his 4 seasons with the club.
His departure to Chicago came after a contract dispute and the Senators wouldn’t receive any impact pieces back (just Tom Preissing, Josh Hennessey, Michael Barinka, and a 2nd round pick). Havlat would join Chicago and play at a point-per-game pace there, leading to what was a productive career after Ottawa.
Why is he so high on this list? He wasn’t a Senator for very long, but when he was he was a great Senator. He appeared as one of the NHL’s youngest and brightest talents and would prove he was an NHL force over his 800 game NHL career by recording nearly 600 points during that time. Havlat played at a 0.78 ppg pace in Ottawa and is still top 15 in all-time Senators scoring, leaving us no choice but to rank him highly on this list.
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9. Zdeno Chara
Mar 14, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) at the face-off circle against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Boston won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 1179 GP, 71G, 288P
Height/Weight: 6foot9, 245lbs
Acquired: Trade With New York Islanders
Chara’s career as an Ottawa Senator can be briefly summed up as such: He was great when he was here, but he should have been here longer.
It was another regrettable move when Chara left as a free agent to Boston, signing a massive deal as a UFA just one season after the NHL introduced the salary cap. He would turn his success in Ottawa into a Stanley Cup as the Bruins’ captain as well as a Norris Trophy season in 2009.
While his time in Boston is certainly more memorable, Chara did play 299 games as a Senator and is still 4th all-time amongst Senators defenders in scoring. Chara posted 39, 43 and 41 point years in Ottawa and totalled 146 as a Senator. He was a marvel with his 6foot9 stature and it’s rare the NHL sees a defender as big and with as much mobility ever again.
You can’t look at what Chara has done in his career and his impact in Ottawa and not have him high on this list. He’s had an incredible NHL career that really took off in Ottawa.
Next: #8: The Longest Serving Ottawa Senator Ever
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8. Chris Phillips
Mar 5, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Chris Phillips (4) skates with the puck against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 1179 GP, 71G, 288P
Height/Weight: 6foot3, 221lbs
Acquired: 1996 NHL Draft (1st Overall)
While he was never the impact player some might expect a player who goes first overall to be, Chris Phillips has played more games for the Ottawa Senators than anyone.
It was a mark he achieved this past year after hitting 1179 NHL games played and he hasn’t played a game since. Phillips had back surgery this off-season and will look to gain a little more NHL experience this upcoming year, perhaps by hitting the 1200 games played marked and perhaps to the dismay of many Senators fans.
Phillips is one of the only players on this list who is a true “lifer” for the Sens. Daniel Alfredsson was supposed to be, but chose to finish his playing career in Detroit. Phillips may still play somewhere else (there have been rumours in the past) but that would be a shock at this point because at 38-years-old, it’s likely he calls his career after this season.
And when Phillips does retire as an Ottawa Senator, he’ll be part of an extremely exclusive group of players to spend their entire careers with one Canadian NHL franchise for more than 15 years. It’s a very short list and currently only contains players within the Maple Leafs and Canadiens’ organization. That list is: Maurice Richard, Henri Richard, Claude Provost, Aurele Joliat, Bob Gainey, Ron Ellis, Yvan Cournoyer, Butch Bouchard, Jean Beliveau, and George Armstrong.
Very exclusive company and for Phillips to have the chance to join that list, you have think number nine on this list is quite low. However, in discussing greatness, Phillips’ longevity is the best thing going for him. He was never an incredibly dominant player, as most defensive defenders aren’t. But Phillips getting the nod inside the top 10 has to do with his length and leadership he has provided the Senators for close to two decades.
Next: #7: 3 Time Cup Winner, Youngster In Ottawa
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7. Marian Hossa
Jun 18, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; CChicago Blackhawks right wing Marian Hossa (81) kisses the Stanley Cup during the 2015 Stanley Cup championship rally at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 467 GP, 188G, 390P
Height/Weight: 6foot3, 221lbs
Acquired: 1996 NHL Draft (1st Overall)
Hossa is a player very similar to the previously mentioned Chara when discussing his career in Ottawa.
Hossa isn’t remembered for his time in Ottawa, but he did spend 467 games as a Senator. In his career with 1172 games, that is the most with any franchise. However, the role he played in Chicago on three Stanley cup winning teams means Hossa is a career Blackhawk.
And looking back on the trade that shipped Hossa out of town, he shouldn’t have been moved so early on in his career.
The return was Dany Heatley, one of the greatest Ottawa Senators in his own right. But Hossa, still just 24 would turn his early days into Ottawa into one of the 21st centuries greatest Hockey careers. As stated before, Hossa would win three cups in Chicago, and if Ottawa had kept him and built around him, you’d have to think they’d at least have one.
Hossa’s best years in Ottawa came when he was 23 and 24 when he recorded consecutive 80 point years and had 45 goals in his 23-year-old campaign.
While Hossa is remembered as one of the biggest regrets in Senators history, the trade that moved him did in fact bring back an all-star in his prime. Hossa was a great player in his own, no doubt. The trade can be justified but was still a mistake considering how things played out post-2009.
Next: #6. One Of The Team's Greatest Defenders
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6. Wade Redden
Stats: 467 GP, 188G, 390P
Height/Weight: 6foot2, 212lbs
Acquired: Trade With New York Islanders
The Senators were able to snag two pretty good defenders from the New York Islanders in the late 90’s/early 2000’s. Of course, we’re talking about the previously ranked Zdeno Chara and now Wade Redden. Redden did begin his career in Ottawa, despite being a 2nd overall pick of the Islanders in 1995.
His entry into the Senators organization came when Bryan Berard refused to sign with Ottawa and the Senators and Islanders swapped young defenders with Ottawa getting back a few other pieces.
Redden would spend the majority of his career in Ottawa and was a darn good defender for the Senators for more than a decade. He was Ottawa’s number one before Erik Karlsson and still holds the Senators’ record for most points as a defender (410). He’s also 4th overall for overall points as he’s behind just Alexei Yashin, Jason Spezza, and Daniel Alfredsson.
Redden eventually left the nation’s capital when he signed a massive deal with the New York Rangers. He wouldn’t pan out there and would later toil with the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues before finishing out his career.
He’s remembered as a career Senator and was a leader on a team ready to contend. He was a big playoff performer in 2007 and certainly among the greatest Senators of all-time.
Next: #5: Not A Popular Figure, Still One Of The Best
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5. Dany Heatley
Dec 27, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Dany Heatley (51) against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. The Coyotes defeated the Ducks 2-1 in an overtime shootout. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 317 GP, 180G, 362P
Height/Weight: 6foot4, 220lbs
Acquired: Trade With Atlanta
When you look back on Heatley’s time in Ottawa, it is often criticized for the decision he made in 2009 that led to him being shipped out for a minimal return.
But the fact remains, Dany Heatley provided the Sens with 300+ games of the best hockey in his career. He’s still the only guy to ever score 50 in a Senators uniform and he did it twice. Along with those two 50 goal years were also 50+ assists, meaning he’s also the only guy other than Daniel Alfredsson to have 100 points in a season.
Say what you want about how his time ended, but Heatley was the Steven Stamkos of his day. He was an incredible asset to the Senators and perhaps the best Senator of all-time if you’re talking about individual season play.
The reason he has such a bad wrap of course has to do with his trade request and career after Ottawa. He’s often teased for having a bad attitude towards the game and he’s also been involved with off-ice incidents. After Ottawa he only lasted a few seasons in San Jose, before being shipped to Minnesota and now a UFA who finished his season in the AHL.
He’s no longer that great player, he won’t ever reach the 1000 game mark, but at one point he was among the NHL’s elite talents. He’s still top 10 in Senators all time scoring and top 5 in goal scoring. Those great individual seasons he had means he’s up there in terms of the greatest Senators of all-time.
Next: #4: Another Spoiled Departure
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4. Alexei Yashin
Stats: 504 GP, 218G, 491P
Height/Weight: 6foot4, 220lbs
Acquired: Trade With Atlanta
In the top 5, 4 of the guys on the list would depart from the Senators, under what were presumed to be bad terms. Alexei Yashin is no exception to that list.
He was shipped out of Ottawa after a contract dispute and even taking a year off of the game. Luckily, the Senators were still able to maximize Yashin’s value and find a buyer in the New York Islanders who shipped an elite pick (#2 overall, Jason Spezza) and a defender with high upside (Zdeno Chara) for Yashin’s services.
His career would fall on the island after a few elite level seasons in Ottawa, and when remembering his playing time with the Senators, Yashin is clearly among the best.
He was the first draft pick by the franchise and would spend 504 games with the team, playing at a near ppg pace the entire time. He finished his time in Ottawa with 218 goals and 491 points, good enough for 3rd among Senators in each category. Yashin was a big centre and a guy capable of putting up 9o point seasons in his prime.
He became a cornerstone piece to the franchise and until his departure was probably the best player on the team. His stay in Ottawa lasted long enough to justify putting him among the top spots on this list and his play certainly did the same.
Next: #3: Big Centre, Point-Per-Game Player
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3. Jason Spezza
Mar 19, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars center Jason Spezza (90) during the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Penguins 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 686 GP, 251G, 687P
Height/Weight: 6foot3, 221lbs
Acquired: 2001 NHL Entry Draft (2nd Overall)
The Senators’ Jason Spezza era concluded last year after one season of captaincy and after much like Heatley and Yashin, Spezza requested a trade. It was in the cards and perhaps it was simply time. Among many of the Sens’ notable departures, Spezza’s was among the easier to swallow.
He’s certainly one of the best Senators of all-time and among a pretty exclusive group in terms of point production. Spezza played his entire career in Ottawa while maintaining a point-per-game pace; Dany Heatley is the only other in this top 10 to be able to say the same.
Spezza just hit the mark as he posted 687 points in the 686 games he played. Many of those points came during Spezza’s peak seasons when he posted 90, 87, and 92 point years during seasons he missed around 15 games on average.
Today, he’s still a good contributor and a legitimate 1st line center on a team that has two of those. He gets to play in the shadow of Tyler Seguin and in a smaller hockey market in Dallas, which is probably best considering where his career was trending.
Spezza brought dominating seasons to Ottawa and will always be considered one of the best Senators of all-time. He led what was the NHL’s best line when he played alongside Daniel Alfredsson and Dany Heatley. He gave the Sens a decade of great hockey, justifying his placement as the 3rd greatest Senator of all-time.
Next: #2: Will He Retire The Greatest Of All-Time?
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2. Erik Karlsson
Mar 17, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Ottawa Senators defensemen Erik Karlsson (65) watches the play against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Ottawa Senators defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 686 GP, 251G, 687P
Height/Weight: 6foot1, 285lbs
Acquired: 2008 NHL Entry Draft (15th Overall)
I’ll be honest, I totally considered putting Erik Karlsson at number one on this list. I mean, he’s the only Senator to win a major NHL trophy (other than the Calder), and he’s done it twice.
He’s already in a group of defenders under 25 to win two Norris’ that only includes Bobby Orr, Denis Potvin and Paul Coffey. He’s proven to be a generational talent and has dominated defenders in scoring every year he plays.
However, the time to put Karlsson as the greatest Senator of all-time isn’t yet. He’s “only” played 397 games, but for a player who is 25, “only” isn’t the word to use. He’s had an incredible work-load as a young player and that includes taking on the Senators’ captaincy at 24. Currently, he’s under contract for 4 more seasons and you’d have to think the Senators would love to keep Karlsson until his NHL days are done.
He’s set to have what could be a hockey hall of fame worthy career and if he could lead Ottawa to a Stanley Cup, then he’ll certainly get the nod.
Karlsson is one of, if not the best defender in the game today. What he’s been able to accomplish as such a young player is grounds to put him at number two on this list and put him very close to asking the question as to whether or not he’s already the best Senator of all-time.
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1. Daniel Alfredsson
Dec 4, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators former player Daniel Alfredsson (11) takes part in a pre-game ceremony prior to game against the New York Islanders at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Even after Daniel Alfredsson’s rough departure, it’s hard to say anything negative when looking back on his career.
There were special moments, from big timed goals to the passion he brought to every game, Alfie was big-time. He’s the greatest Ottawa Senator of all-time and will likely stay as such until around a decade from now when Erik Karlsson will have a serious case to hold against Alfredsson.
You can talk about all the stats. Say, the team-leading 1108 points or the 1178 games played, but Alfredsson meant so much more to the Senators than just his play. He was the captain of the team for 13 years, which at the time, was an NHL high. He did so much for the community of Ottawa and was the face of the franchise for nearly two decades.
He spent his final days in Detroit, and although it was hard to face when it happened, the thought of Alfie in a complete red uniform with a winged crest is entirely a thought of the past. He didn’t lead Ottawa to a cup, but got oh-so close to doing so in 2007. He lead some great teams and is clearly the greatest Ottawa Senator of all time.
All for a guy chosen in the 6th round. Not bad Mr. Alfredsson, not bad at all.
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There’s the final list. I hope you enjoyed the top 50 list I’ve compiled and as one of my final blogs on Senshot, I want to say thanks to everyone for reading over the past little while.
Here’s to the upcoming years of Senators hockey and the many questions that this list holds that will certainly unfold. I look forward to seeing what Mika Zibanejad and Mark Stone develop into and whether or not they can become top 15/top 10 players in this franchise.
Kyle Turris holds some of the same capabilities, and with Bobby Ryan signed for 7 more seasons, he does as well.
And of course, will Erik Karlsson retire the greatest Ottawa Senator off all-time? Here’s hoping that’s a decade or more away, but his career is certainly trending that way.
Next: Will The Ottawa Senators Make The Playoffs In 2015-16?