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: #15 Martin Havlat
Now without further ado the 14th greatest player in Ottawa Senators history….
#14 Zdeno Chara
Over his career Zdeno Chara has had a career that is worthy of the hall of fame. He won a Norris Trophy in 2009 and the Stanley Cup in 2011. Although he didn’t win any trophies with the Ottawa Senators, it was with them that he began to blossom into the superstar he would later become in Boston.
Chara was one of the best defencemen to ever play for the Ottawa Senators. The only thing holding him back from being ranked higher up on this list is his relatively short tenure in Ottawa. He only played 299 games across four seasons with the Sens. In that time he scored 146 points and was a finalist for the Norris Trophy in 2004. He was named to the first all-star team in 2004 and the second all-star team in 2006.
Chara came to the Ottawa Senators in a trade which sent Alexei Yashin to the New York Islanders in exchange for Chara and the draft pick that would become Jason Spezza. He didn’t leave Ottawa until 2006 when the Sens had to choose between Chara and Wade Redden due to financial constraints. The Sens chose to re-sign Redden instead of Chara and as a result Chara went to the Boston Bruins where he remains to this day.
Next: Ottawa Senators: Jean-Gabriel Pageau 2017-2018 Season Preview
Chara was one of the best defencemen to ever play for the Ottawa Senators. If the Sens had chosen him over Redden than he would likely be in the top five Sens of all-time. Although Redden was a great player while in Ottawa that choice will always remain as one of the great what ifs in Senators history.