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 last post in the series here you go!
Ottawa Senators Greatest Players: #18 Shawn McEachern
Now without further ado the 17th greatest player in Ottawa Senators history….
#17 Mark Stone
Mark Stone turned out to be one of the best draft picks the Ottawa Senators ever made when they picked him at 178th overall in 2010. Stone was coming off a season where he scored just 28 points in the WHL. However, the next season Stone had a breaking out party. He would score 106 points in 71 games. Following his breakout year he continued his success as he made progress towards the NHL.
After finishing up his junior career in 2012 he spent two seasons in the AHL where he saw short call-ups to Ottawa. In this time he became a point per game player by just his second season.
Stone began his full-time NHL career in the 2014-2015 season. Since joining the Sens he has established himself as one of the best two-way forwards in the league. He has shown that he is a consistent 60 point player while at the same time being among the league leaders in takeaways.
Although he’s spent just three full seasons with the Ottawa Senators, Stone has had tremendous impact. He was the best forward for the Sens during the Hamburglar run. He was one of the main catalysts for getting that team to the playoffs. In 2016 when the team didn’t make the playoffs Stone was one of the few players that didn’t under-perform. This past season Stone was once again one of the Sens best players. An injury slowed him down for the end of the season but he was still among the Sens best players.
Next: Ottawa Senators: Colin White 2017-2018 Season Preview
Stone has played just three seasons for the Ottawa Senators. However, he has shown that he is a star in a short time. He is a part of the new forward group along with Hoffman that has brought the Sens back into contention. At just the age of 25, Stone could be in for one of the best careers in Sens’ history. He’s already a top 20 player, but should jump up in spots consistently as his career progresses.