OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 4: Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators chats with Dion Phaneuf #2 during a break in a game against the New York Rangers at Canadian Tire Centre on December 4, 2017 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
In my first piece of the day, I revisited the forward of the 2016-17 Ottawa Senators team that made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. Now it’s time to look at defense. For the purpose of this article, I will only look at the main 6 defensemen the team used that season.
Next. 2016-17 Ottawa Senators: Forwards. dark
Marc Methot
The Ottawa Native Marc Methot would play in his final season with the Ottawa Senators during the 2016-17 season, being a great defensive partner to the best defenseman in franchise history for quite a long time. Methot would be left unprotected in the Vegas Expansion Draft because of Dion Phaneuf’s no movement clause, and the team opting to protect the young Cody Ceci instead of Methot. Methot would not last long in Vegas however as he was traded to the Dallas Stars just days later, where he would finish his career due to injuries adding up over the years, specifically to the knees. He is now a TSN analysis on Sens Game Days, and makes the casual appearance on Locked On Senators Podcast, and formerly was the Co Host of the Wally And Methot Show. “Meth” Is easily a top 5 Greatest Defensemen in Ottawa Senators History for me.
Erik Karlsson
The captain of the team, and the second greatest Ottawa Senator of all time, Erik Karlsson should have played his entire career with the Ottawa Senators but unfortunately that would not happen. He would play in two more seasons with the team before being traded to the San Jose Sharks for a boat load. He just came off the best season of his entire NHL career, scoring 101 points, and will msot likely win the third Norris trophy of his career so far.
Dion Phaneuf
The former captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs would help improve the defensive depth on this team tremendously from the second he arrived in Ottawa. Dion Phaneuf would help Cody Ceci play the best hockey he ever played with the Sens and mentored him pretty good. It’s unfortunate how much he dropped off after Phaneuf left. Granted, Ceci was never great in Ottawa, he played good while paired with Phaneuf, atleast from my memory. Phaneuf would play in Ottawa for a grand total of three years before being moved at the beginning of the rebuild to the Los Angeles Kings. Phaneuf’s play had deteriorated by the end of his time with the Sens and he would be a regular healthy scratch while in LA. He would be bought out at the end of his second season, and would announce his retirement on November 16th 2021, two seasons after his last game.
Cody Ceci
Cody Ceci was drafted in the first round of the 2012 draft, and his tenure in Ottawa can be described by one word: Inconsistency. The Ottawa Native did not spend too much time in Ottawa after this season, as he was traded away on July 1st 2019, to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He would only spend one season in Toronto where he would not be re signed. Ceci signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins on a one year deal. He would not re sign with the Penguins, and would test Free Agency. On July 28th 2021, he signed a four year contract with the Edmonton Oilers paying him 3.25 million per season. He has been serving in a top 4 role consistently with the Oilers and has played the best hockey of his career.
Mark Borowiecki
Ottawa Native Mark Borowiecki was supposed to be an Ottawa Senator for life according to General Manager Pierre Dorion. Unfortunately, being forced to record an interview with late-owner Eugene Melnyk would leave the defenceman wanting a change of scenery. During his time in Ottawa, “Borrocop” would show exemplary leadership qualities and give it his all on the ice every single day, earning a spot as alternate captain. He signed a two year deal with the Nashville Predators on October 9th 2020, and would sign a one year extension on February 15th 2022. He is a pending unrestricted free agent and what’s next for the beloved gritty defenseman is not yet known.
Chris Wideman
The offensive minded Chris Wideman would begin his career pretty well in Ottawa, establishing himself as one of Ottawa’s best defensemen after this season, but his time in the Nation’s capital would be quite short, as he would be the main focal point of the infamous uber video and would be used to make an example out of. He would be traded free times in a four month span, first to the Edmonton Oilers, then to the Florida Panthers, and finally to the Pittsburgh Penguins. After finishing the season in Pittsburgh, he would sign a one year contract with the Aneheim Ducks, mainly playing in their AHL up until the season was put to a halt due to the COVID pandemic. Once hockey resumed, Wideman signed in Russia, and was named the KHL’s Top Defenceman of the year. He’d make his NHL return with the Montreal Canadiens after signing a one year deal. He tied for first in points by a defenceman on the team, and re signed to a two year contract.
There’s nobody left from the 2016-17 team, which is kind of surprising but at the same time, not so much considering an entire rebuild has happened starting literally the next season. I’m excited to see what’s next for some of the players I’ve mentionned, like Mark Borowiecki and Chris Wideman.
