Ottawa Senators: Get To Know The Newest Senator, Johnny Oduya
Johnny Oduya comes in as the newest player on the Ottawa Senators. Let’s take a look at his history as a player.
Johnny Oduya may come to the Ottawa Senators as a grizzled veteran. However, he had a slow start to his professional career. Drafted 221st overall by the Washington Capitals he was slow to make progress. The Capitals never signed him and he was released. However, he did continue to improve as a youngster as he made his way through Europe, spending most of his time in the Swedish Elite League.
Early Years In NHL
In 2006 Oduya finally got his opportunity to play in the NHL as he was signed by the New Jersey Devils to a one year contract. He made a good enough impression with the Devils in his first year as he would stay with the organization for four years. However, in the fourth year he was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers.
A Championship Pedigree
Oduya stayed with the Thrashers through their move to Winnipeg until being traded to Chicago in 2012. Staying in Chicago until 2015 he won two Stanley Cups. In this time he had established himself as a solid stay at home defenceman. Unfortunately for the Blackhawks they weren’t able to retain him after their 2015 championship due to cap restraints and Oduya signed in Dallas. He only stayed in Dallas for a year and a half before being traded back to Chicago for their playoff run this past season. The playoff run was short lived as the Blackhawks were swept in the first round.
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Wrap Up
Once again the Blackhawks were faced with cap difficulties and they were unable to retain him. Fortunately for the Sens, Johnny Oduya is the newest member of their club. Although he has regressed a bit in recent years he’s still a stable presence on the back end. At a very cheap deal Oduya could be a steal for this Ottawa Senators team.