Ottawa Senators Greatest Players: #24 – Magnus Arvedson
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.
If you missed the previous post in the series here you go!
Ottawa Senators Greatest Players: #25 – Antoine Vermette
Now without further ado, the 24th greatest player in Ottawa Senators history….
#24 Magnus Arvedson
A late bloomer, Arvedson started out his career in the Swedish Elite League where he didn’t become a regular until the age of 23. However, over the next few seasons he soon became a top performer in the league. He made a good enough impression that the Ottawa Senators drafted him in 1997 at 119th overall. Arvedson wasted no time and made the team that year.
He quickly established himself as a top notch defensive forward. In just his second season he finished as the runner up for the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s top defensive forward. He lost in a close vote to Jere Lehtinen. Unfortunately, Arvedson would be struck by the injury bug for the next two years. Although his offence continued to improve he was never quite the same following his injuries that never truly went away.
Arvedson would remain healthy in the 01-02 season and he finished top 10 in Selke voting once again. Along with the injuries, a problem Arvedson always seemed to have was showing up in the playoffs. He only ever scored three goals in 52 playoff games with the Sens. Looking to go in a new direction following their loss in 2003, the Ottawa Senators elected to let Arvedson go to free agency. He would play his last season in Vancouver but was forced to retire because of injuries.
Next: Ottawa Senators: Mark Borowiecki 2017-2018 Season Preview
Arvedson was one of the first stars for the Ottawa Senators. If it weren’t for nagging injuries he may have captured a number of individual trophies. Injuries and unfair scapegoating resulted in him leaving town. The Sens teams of the mid 2000s losing was the fault of no one player. Arvedson may have had a short career with the Sens but it was an impactful one. If it weren’t for injuries he very well could be one of three Sens in history to win individual awards.