4 ex-Senators who need their jersey number retired
The Ottawa Senators played their first NHL season in 1992-93, and it was a historically bad season, with only 10 wins. However, the Senators still have had success in their franchise and have had retired.
Chris Phillips' number 4, Frank Finnigan's number 8, Daniel Alfredsson's number 11, and Chris Neil's number 25 have all been retired.
But the franchise still has current retired players who played well and contributed hugely to the Senators, and they're missing their numbers retired by the Senators. Time might be upon the Senators to have more numbers raised to the rafters.
4 ex-Senators who need their jersey number retired
Success wouldn't have happened in Ottawa if these four players had not played. Although all four players played for other teams, their work in Ottawa didn't go unnoticed.
It's time for the Senators to hang up these numbers to the rafters.
3. Danny Heatley's #15
When the Atlanta Thrashers traded Dany Heatley to the Senators in August 2005, the pressure was on Heatley to shine when they gave up Marian Hossa. In Ottawa, Hossa finished his tenure with back-to-back 80-point seasons. But, the risk of Heatley came at a great cost for the team.
Heatley's first two seasons in Ottawa were special as Heatley recorded back-to-back 100-point seasons and 50-goal seasons. 2007 was special for Heatley and the Senators.
The franchise reached the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time, and Heatley was a key piece for the Senators reaching the Cup. In 20 games in the 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Heatley recorded 22 points, tied for the most in the playoffs alongside Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson.
Although the Senators eventually lost to the Anaheim Ducks in five games to lose the 2007 Stanley Cup, Heatley's work for Ottawa was pivotal. Heatley spent two more seasons in Ottawa before being traded to the San Jose Sharks in September 2009.
Heatley recorded 362 points in 317 games for the Senators. Heatley leads the Senators all-time in points per game with 1.14, and no other Senator has scored 50 goals in a season. Heatley is also part of Ottawa's 2007 Stanley Cup roster.
2. Wade Redden's #6
Long tenured players gain a lot of respect by fans in the NHL, and Wade Redden is one those players with his long tenure with the Ottawa Senators.
Redden was the former second overall pick in the 1995 NHL Draft by the New York Islanders, but the Senators acquired him in 1996 by part of a three-team trade with the Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs. Redden would begin playing with the 1996-97 season, and was part of some special moments in Senators history.
Redden was part of every Senators playoff team from 1997-2008 before he left to sign with the New York Rangers in 2008. Redden was part of Ottawa's first playoff team in 1997, but 1998 was special as the franchise won its first playoff series against the New Jersey Devils despite having 24 points less than the Devils.
Redden was part of Ottawa's 2003 President's Trophy team, and Ottawa's 2007 Stanley Cup roster. There were three times in Redden's career that he finished in the top 10 voting for the Norris Trophy, and three times were with the Senators. Redden finished his 11-year tenure in Ottawa with 410 points in 838 games. Redden has the highest +/- rating in franchise history with 159.
If Ottawa can retire four former players who had longevity, Redden's longevity should be thought of for a jersey retirement.
1. Alexei Yashin & Jason Spezza's #19
It's not often that two great players in a single franchise wear the same number and have success while wearing it. But the Ottawa Senators have had two elite players in franchise history wear number 19, and they are Alexei Yashin and Jason Spezza.
The first number, 19, is Yashin. Some Senators fans will be bitter about Yashin holding out during the 1999-00 season. Senators fans can't deny how important he was to the franchise when he first played in the 1993-94 season.
Yashin was a big bright spot on a bad Senators team by finishing with 79 points as a rookie. Yashin was then the captain for the 1998-99 season, and was rightfully captain when he set the franchise for most points in a season with 94. Yashin was part of the All-NHL Second Team, and finished second for the Hart Trophy. Yashin held out the following season, and he was suspended by the team for the entire season. Yashin would lose his captaincy to Daniel Alfredsson.
The 2000-01 season would be Yashin's last in Ottawa as he recorded 88 points in his final season in Ottawa. Yashin would record back-to-back 40-goal seasons in his final two seasons in Ottawa. In his Ottawa tenure, Yashin finished with 491 points in 504 games. Yashin's 491 points are good for third-most all-time in Senators history.
Yashin was traded to the New York Islanders at the 2001 NHL Draft, and Ottawa received the second overall pick in the draft who turned into a superstar player who should have his number retired by the Senators. That pick turned into Spezza. What irony it is.
Spezza began his career in Ottawa wearing number 39. But when he switched to number 19 prior to the 2005-06 season, his career took off. Spezza recorded two 90-point seasons and two 80-point seasons. Spezza was part of Ottawa's 2007 run to the Stanley Cup and was tied with Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfredsson for the most points in the 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs with 22.
Spezza's tenure ended in 2014 when he was traded to the Dallas Stars. It also hurt Senators fans' hearts when Spezza wore a Maple Leafs jersey for the final three seasons of his career. Spezza's success in Ottawa doesn't go without recognition. Spezza turned the Senators franchise around and should have his number retired. Spezza finished his Senators career with 687 points in 686 games.
Spezza has the second most goals (251), assists (436) and points in franchise history.
Although Yashin and Spezza both wore number 19, it's not uncommon for a team to retire one jersey number worn by two players. The Maple Leafs have retired six numbers worn by two players, the Montreal Canadiens have retired two numbers worn by two players, and the New York Rangers have retired one number worn by two players.
It might be time for the Senators to have one number retired worn by two players.