The 4 Nations Face-Off will begin this Wednesday. The countries of Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland will be the countries competing.
After last night's 5-1 loss against the Florida Panthers, the Ottawa Senators have a 29-23-4 record as they head into the 4 Nations Face-Off break. The Senators will return to play on Feb. 22 when they host the Montreal Canadiens.
As the four countries are competing, it's thought about of who is the best player to ever play for a franchise from a particular country. For the Senators, they have a history of players from Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland make an impact on the franchise in a big way.
Best player in Senators history from Canada, USA, Sweden & Finland
Representing your country is a great honor for any hockey player. Even if one isn't chose to represent their country for an event, they represent their country when their playing with country pride. These are the best players in Senators history from Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland.
Canada- Jason Spezza
In 2001, the Senators had an important decision to make on who to draft with the second overall pick. With the selection, the Senators drafted Jason Spezza. In the end, Spezza turned out to be the right decision.
In 11 seasons as a Senator, Spezza totaled for 687 points in 686 games. Spezza recorded two 90-point seasons as a Senator. In 2007, Spezza was a key piece to the Senators reaching the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals. In 2008 and 2012, Spezza made the All-Star Game.
Spezza is second all-time in Senators history in goals, assists and points. With his success as a Senator, some might feel Spezza's no. 19 deserves to be retired by the organization.
USA- Brady Tkachuk
When the Senators drafted Bray Tkachuk fourth overall in 2018, Tkachuk had a lot to live up for with his father Keith Tkachuk being a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Since being drafted, Brady has been a stand out on the Senators.
In 496 career games, Brady has totaled for 393 points. Brady's point total is the most in Senators history among American players. Brady's 183 goals is the fifth most in Senators history and he's also ninth all-time in Senators history for assists with 210. Brady will have a good chance of climbing atop more players in Senators history for career stats if he stays for more years down the road.
Along with spending his whole career as a Senator, Brady has served as the 10th captain in Senators history since November 2021.
Brady will be representing the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off along with his brother Matthew. A great honor for the entire Tkachuk family as two brother will represent their country.
Sweden- Daniel Alfredsson
At the 1994 NHL Draft, not many would've predicted one of the biggest draft steals in NHL history would turn into the greatest Senator of all-time. That is Daniel Alfredsson.
When one has the most goals, assists, points, powerplay goals, shorthanded goals, hat tricks and game-winning goals in Senators history, as well as serving as the captain from 1999-2013, it's easy to say Alfredsson is the greatest Senator of all-time.
Just like Spezza, Alfredsson was a member of the 2007 Eastern Conference championship team. One of Alfredsson's biggest moments was when he scored the overtime winner in Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals to send the Senators to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Alfredsson's no. 11 is rightfully retired by the Senators. Sens fans will forever love Alfredsson for his hard work and dedication in his 17 years as a Senator.
Finland- Sami Salo
Of the four countries, Finland would be the weakest of the four to pick a greatest player in Senators history. However, the best player in Senators history from Finland would be defenseman Sami Salo.
Despite only playing in 195 games in four seasons as a Senator from 1998-2002, Salo's 69 points is the most for Finnish players in Senators history. After recording 19 points and a +20 rating in the 1998-99 season, Salo made the NHL All-Rookie Team and finished ninth for Calder Trophy voting.
Salo's defense during his tenure helped the Senators make the playoffs in all four seasons he played as a Senator. After 2002, Salo spent nine seasons with the Vancouver Canucks and spent two seasons with the Tampa Bay Lighting.