Throwback Thursday: Greatest Players at Each Position in Senators History
By Daniel Bruce
Center: Jason Spezza
Career Stats (OTT): GP: 686 G: 251 A: 436 P: 687
The 2nd overall selection in the 2001 NHL Draft, Jason Spezza was expected to do great things in Ottawa and that he did. Amazingly Spezza concluded his career in Ottawa at over a point per game.
Playing 11 seasons for the franchise, nearly surpassing 700 games played, Spezza was an integral part of Ottawa’s constant success through the 2000s. Ranking second in goals, assists and points for the franchise, the savvy centerman is without a doubt the second-best forward to ever lace them up for the Senators.
One of the nicest goals scored in Senators history was Spezza’s undressing of Montreal Canadiens defenceman Sheldon Souray for the overtime winner on October 27th, 2005. The goal can be seen by clicking on the link here.
Spezza also centred the best line in Ottawa Senators history when he played between Daniel Alfredsson and Dany Heatley, the line was famously called the “Pizza line” because when the team would score five goals or more all fans would receive a free pizza.
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A usual culprit for Senators highlight-reel goals, on March 26th, 2012 he dangled seemingly the whole Winnipeg Jets defence to set up Kyle Turris on the wide-open net, the dazzling goal can be seen here.
Regular season aside, Spezza produced 52 points in 56 games for the Senators over his career and was an essential part of their 2006-07 Stanley Cup run where he had 22 points in 20 games. One of the most talented players in the history of the Ottawa franchise should see his name on the ring of honour in the near future.
Honourable Mention: Alexei Yashin
The first draft pick in the history of the Ottawa Senators, Yashin enjoyed 7 seasons with the club from 1993-2001. He produced 491 points in 504 games in Ottawa.