Ottawa Senators Greatest Players: #25 – Antoine Vermette
The Ottawa Senators have just completed their 25th year in the NHL. However, due to the 04-05 lockout they are actually about to enter their 25th season. So, I thought what better time to recognize the 25 greatest Senators of all time. This list won’t be based on pure talent, but rather the skill, impact, and durability of each player.
Now without further ado, the 25th greatest player in Ottawa Senators history….
#25 Antoine Vermette
Vermette was a homegrown talent for the Ottawa Senators. Drafted at 55th overall in 2000, Vermette would make his way up the Sens depth chart rather quickly. After just one season in the AHL he was brought to the Ottawa Senators full time for the 2003-2004 season. In his first year he scored 14 points in 57 games.
The lockout stalled his NHL career briefly as he spent the year in the AHL with Binghamton. However, following his brief detour back to the minors Vermette became a very important piece for some great Sens teams in the mid-late 2000s. He was known for his stability as one of the best players on the faceoff in the league. As a result he played a lot in the defensive zone and on the Penalty Kill.
Despite his value as a defensive player he was still capable of adding some good secondary scoring. He was usually good for around 35 points a season and even managed to have a 53 point year in 07-08. Vermette’s strong two-way play was one of the most important factors for the Senators squad that went to the Stanley Cup Final in 2007.
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Vermette was never a star for the Ottawa Senators. However, he was a very important piece for the Sens when they were a powerhouse in the league. He was always willing to do the less glamorous roles such as penalty killing so that the team could succeed. Although he had more success after leaving Ottawa, even winning a Stanley Cup in 2015, he will always be remembered as a great Senator.