As the Ottawa Senators continue to re-live Groundhog Day, it’s getting harder and harder to visualize an end to it. But there’s no question that the past remains crammed with great moments, memories, and players. Later this month, the NHL will reportedly roll out the nostalgia and select an all-quarter-century team for each of its member clubs, honouring the best players from the millennium’s first 25 years.
According to TSN’s Chris Johnston on Insider Trading last week, members of the media, along with retired players and executives, will vote on each team’s top six players at forward, top four on defence, and top goaltenders from January 1, 2000, and today.
Selections will begin to trickle out at the end of this month and continue into January. The Senators have some obvious choices and a few that will spark debates. Here’s our list.
Forwards
Daniel Alfredsson (2000-2013)
Alfie holds the Senator team records for career goals (426), assists (682) and points (1,108) with 1,178 games played. ‘Nuff said, praise Alfie.
Mar. 16, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Ottawa Senators right wing Daniel Alfredsson (11) against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Jason Spezza (2002-2014)
Spezza holds Senator team records for career goals, assists, and points by players not named Daniel Alfredsson. Another easy choice.
Apr 12, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Jason Spezza (19) speaks with NHL linesman Michel Cormier (76) in the second period against the Toronto Maple Leaf at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Marian Hossa (2000-2004)
Now things start to get a little trickier due to lack of longevity. But Marian Hossa was the complete package. High skill, blazing fast, good at both ends, and deceptively tough to knock off the puck.
Nov 20, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Former Chicago Blackhawks Marian Hossa speaks as his jersey is retired during a ceremony before the the game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Pittsburgh Penguins at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Dany Heatley (2005-2009)
He was also here for a good time, not a long time. Trade demands and diminished roles aside, we simply cannot ignore two 50-goal seasons, still the only ones in Senator history.
Oct 27, 2008; Buffalo, NY, USA; Ottawa Senators left wing Dany Heatley (15)during a stoppage in play against the Buffalo Sabres at the HSBC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Brady Tkachuk (2018-Present)
The Sens captain can play it any way you like. It feels like he just got here, but he’s already fourth in scoring during the time period we’re measuring.
Apr 16, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) gets ready for a face off during the second period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Mark Stone (2013-2019)
Feb 2, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators center Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) and defenseman Erik Karlsson (middle) celebrate a goal by right wing Mark Stone (61) against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Tim Stutzle was very close to getting this spot. But Stone scored so many big goals for this team in big situations. If Stutzle had ever been close to the playoffs in the past four seasons, it might be a different story
Defence
Erik Karlsson (2009-2018)
Karlsson certainly isn’t the greatest defender in Sens history, but he is the most skilled by far. Karlsson nailed down two Norris Trophies in his time here, and probably should have had a third, making him an easy choice.
Nov 24, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Zdeno Chara (2001-2006)
Chara hadn’t emerged yet as the player he’d become in Boston, but he was still pretty damn good. He hovered near 40 points in his last three seasons here and six-foot-nine, 250 pounds speaks for itself. And what a reach. If you were at your blue line, he could poke check you while standing at his.
April 15, 2006; Toronto, ON; Ottawa Senators defenseman (3) Zdeno Chara during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Photo By John Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports © Copyright John Sokolowski
Wade Redden (2000-2008)
Redden and Chris Phillips were never defencemen who would attract Norris Trophy love. But they were reliable, minute-munching, do-the-right-thing defencemen who excelled for the Senators for a long time. With very similar personalities, Redden had a little more offence and skill to his game. Phillips had a little more defence and physicality in his.
Nov 17, 2007; Toronto, ON, Canada; Ottawa Senators defenseman (6) Wade Redden skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON. The Maple Leafs beat the Senators 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-Imagn Images
Chris Phillips (2000-15)
Oct 9, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Chris Phillips (4) prior to the game against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
Goalies
Craig Anderson (2010-2020)
As with the two forward positions, Anderson and Lalime are 1-2 in nearly every category so there really is no debate. Dominik Hasek was a better goalie than both, but his time he was far too brief and “adductory.” Anderson and Lalime are both slam dunks.
Oct 27, 2019; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) looks on prior to the start of the first period against the San Jose Sharks at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Patrick Lalime (2000-2004)
Unknown Date, 2003; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; FILE PHOTO; New Jersey Devils center Scott Gomez (23) in action against Ottawa Senators goalie Patrick Lalime (40) at Continental Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lou Capozzola-USA TODAY NETWORK
There it is. Our all-quarter-century Ottawa Senators team – the best six forwards, four defence, and two goalies between 2000 and the present. Did we miss out on someone? Did we blow it? Scroll down and let us have it at Sens Roundtable, The Hockey News Ottawa’s growing fan forum.
