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Ottawa Senators Flashbacks: Analysing Alexei Yashin’s Legacy

By Conor Peniston-Bird |
Apr 22, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; A general view of the Ottawa Senators logo outside of the Canadian Tire Centre prior to game four of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; A general view of the Ottawa Senators logo outside of the Canadian Tire Centre prior to game four of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
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During this series, we take a look back at players who have formed the history of the Ottawa Senators. Here, we analyse the impact of Alexei Yashin.

A player who will always go down in Ottawa Senators folklore, their first draft pick (1992) since returning to the city. Taken second overall, the Russian quickly became a revelation in the capital. Remaining in Russia for his first season, joining up for the 1993/94 season to debut with Alexandre Daigle.

A standout highlight from his rookie season being that of a hattrick against the Edmonton Oilers on the third of November. The first epitomising his play, the ability to slow the play down to his speed whilst taking defenders out of position allowing him to find his shooting space.

Yashin’s debut season was an impressive one, totalling 79 points in 83 games. Blowing Daigle’s 51 point effort out of the window. Such an effort from a rookie was bound to earn him Calder contention, it did. Unfortunately, a certain Martin Brodeur was to snatch the trophy.

Contract Disputes

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Here comes the dividing point for Ottawa Senators fans. Yashin refused to honour his 1995-96 contract at the start of the season. Due in part, to Daigle being granted the largest rookie contract in NHL history.

Many turned on Alexei and criticised him for his behaviour that was not up to the standards expected from hockey players. You can’t help but sympathise with Yashin, here he was, outscoring the number one draft pick, by a whopping 28 points. Yet still his team expected Daigle to claim the Calder. The anti-Russian sentiment towards players still being felt. As the inferior Canadian player was being touted over the Russian.

Comparing the two contracts, Daigle was on a five-year $12,250,000 deal. Whereas Yashin was offered a five-year $4,000,000 deal. Quite rightly a fuss was made from Yashin and his camp, how can a player who’s offensive output was so inferior, be earning triple the amount.

The statistics thoroughly paint a picture of the two careers. One goes north, and one south. You may feel that Yashin was wrong to dishonour his contract, but going by that, wouldn’t you do the same thing?

Further Off-Ice Drama

The $1,000,000 pledge to the NAC in Ottawa was another disaster, turning into a personal donation.

1999/2000 season would have the Sens fans believing they had seen this all before, they had, and Alexei Yashin was once again refusing to honour his contract.  Arguing that he was earning half of what he ought to be earning. The circus around his off-ice affairs eventually accumulating into a trade to the New York Islanders.

Clearly to this day, the anger still resides in many Sens fans, who feel that Alexei turned his back on a team that invested a lot into him.

Still A Great Player

Who’s to know how much better he could have been if it wasn’t for all of the off-ice shenanigans. Yashin was the beginning of a generation who stood up to teams, and stood up for themselves. Many may call it selfish, however, he was never earning anywhere near his points output. Hockey is a short career after all.

491 points in 504 games is remarkable. 0.974 PPG, without the off-ice drama, I believe he would’e comfortably been a point per game player.

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