The Ottawa Senators have had many faces of the franchise since their founding in 1992. Many fans ask a common question about their teams who will be their greatest players of all time. Naming the Senators team was an interesting exercise in exploring what defines “The Best”.
I have compiled a list of four Senators players on this list. My picks for the best Senators of all time aren't just a reflection of their stats and team, as some players have fewer points than others who don't make my list. I chose them based on a number of factors, so some players may be debatable. Without further adieu, here is my list of the best Senators of all time.
Daniel Alfredsson
Who else but Daniel Alfredsson? The Senators' longtime captain arguably deserves to be the greatest Senators player of all time. His 1,157 points are the most by anyone in Ottawa. His captaincy from 1999 to 2013 is the longest in franchise history and a period where the team saw its longest and most consistent success in the regular season and playoffs. He is the franchise leader in goals, assists, and points, and the face you see when you think of the Sens.
His leadership has contributed not only to his success but to those around him. The six-time All-Star was a big part of the franchise's rise from underdogs to the contenders it became in the late 1990s and 2000s. His playoff numbers are also impressive, with 100 in 121 games, and an appearance in the 2007 Stanley Cup Final.
Her 103-point season in 2005–06 was a career year, finishing among the top five at the Lady Byng, Selke, and Hart Trophies. Although Alfredsson didn't win any major awards outside of his Calder in the 1995-96 season, he was one of the most consistent players of the 2000s. He was the face of the franchise from the moment he arrived and remains the biggest icon in Ottawa, not just for his playing ability but also for his extra kindness to the city.
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You can't think of the Senators without Alfredsson, and even if his records are eventually broken, he will still have his place on the Senators. When his number was retired in December 2016, that spot was guaranteed to be remembered forever. Regardless, he's still a great senator to play this game.
Jason Spezza
Jason Spezza is in my opinion, one of the best Senators ever. When Spezza was drafted for the second time by Ottawa in 2001, it marked the transition of the Senators from an expansion franchise to the dominant force of the 2000s. Spezza was the first high draft pick the Senators chose who became a star in the NHL (no offense to Alexei Yashin).
Spezza's time in Ottawa will be marked as his emergence as the best player in Senators history. In 686 games in Ottawa, Spezza is one of only two Senators to average more than a point per game in the NHL. Spezza tallied 251 goals and 436 assists while in a Sens jersey, both second most in franchise history.
He, Alfredsson, and Dany Heatley formed the “Pizza” line sometime in the mid-2000s, leading an explosive Senators offense that led the NHL in goals in the 2005-06 season. His 71 assists that season is still a team record and his 94 points in 2007-08 are the closest Sen has reached 100 since Heatley did it in 2006-07.
Related: Jason Spezza Leads Ottawa Senators Into Post “Alfie” Era
When he succeeded Alfredsson as captain in 2013, he was unable to live up to expectations, leading to his trade to the Dallas Stars in the summer of 2014. Like other players in Senators history, his final days in Ottawa took a good turn. he was. Despite that, I maintain that he is not only underrated in Ottawa, but the best center to play for the team.
Craig Anderson
The greatest goaltender in Senators history is the key to a spot on this list. When Craig Anderson arrived via trade during the 2010-11 season, the Senators lacked a stable, No. However, at the end of the season, the team has found the net.
The Senators' franchise record holder for wins, games played, and second in shutouts, Anderson played his way through the club's history. Since his debut, he has kept the team in games where they did not win business. If you look at his playing numbers, it gets better. He ranks in the top five in every major category, including a record-tying 21 wins.
Related: Best Senators Goaltender by Craig Anderson
Anderson's character was also highlighted when his wife Nicole was diagnosed with cancer during the 2016-17 season. (from 'Update: Craig Anderson to play tonight, wife with cancer says team needs him,' A resident of Ottawa, 10/30/2016) While his wife was battling the disease, he led his team to the Conference Finals. His season also included an emotional 2-0 win at Edmonton on Oct. 30, 2016.
In recent years, Anderson has taken a shot at the Senators. While most of the Senators who played with Anderson left, he remained in Ottawa. That's the price he paid for his stats. Despite not having much help, he did his best, and although his numbers in the last three seasons are not acceptable, Anderson is both the face of the Senators franchise and one of their best players.
Erik Karlsson
Like Alfredsson, Erik Karlsson's image is synonymous with the Senators. He is the dictionary definition of a modern defender. His puck skills and ice vision are amazing and it shows in his total points. He is currently the franchise leader in points by a defenseman, and third in franchise history with 518. His points per game average is 12th in team history, 20 spots above the next defenseman. When he was drafted 15th overall in 2008 out of Frölunda in the Swedish Hockey League, he was considered too small, and underweight for his position. Although it took a few years, Karlsson developed into the best defenseman in team history.
Karlsson dominated the NHL for nearly a decade, winning two Norris Trophies, and finishing second two more times while in Ottawa. His 82 points in the 2015-16 season are still the record for a Senators defenseman. A torn Achilles tendon in 2012 set him back, but he was still able to perform at a high level for many years. Serving as captain from 2014 to 2018, he has managed to stay at his highest level of skill, while providing leadership to the younger defenders.
Related: Senators and Karlsson History Repeats
Like others on this list, his tenure ended badly when Ottawa fell short in 2018 with a trade to San Jose. Until the end, Karlsson was loved in Ottawa and given the appreciation he deserved by Sens fans. He remains the best blueliner to play for the Senators and will be remembered as such.
Honorable Mention: Chris Phillips
Chris Phillips, unfortunately, is the odd man out here. While he was an icon in Ottawa, he just missed the mark of what I consider to be the best.
Phillips was the last stay-at-home defenseman during his time in Ottawa. The franchise's first pick in 1996 was a staple during 18 years in Ottawa. The franchise leader in games played with 1,179, he recently retired No. 4, joining Alfredsson as the only two modern-day Senators to earn that honor. Another long-time captain was a symbol of the Senators on and off the ice, his No. 4 always involved with the puck, or with an opposing player.
Related: Ottawa Senators Legend – Chris Phillips
While Phillips didn't have much of an offensive game, he was an anchor in the end. He was in the top 15 in Calder voting during the 1997-98 season, unusual for a 19-year-old defenseman with only 16 points. He was not a standout player but he managed to finish in the top 20 voting for the Norris Trophy in 2007 and 2010. He also scored one of the most famous goals in team history, when he beat Martin Brodeur to send the 2003 Eastern Conference championship. Last in game 7.
Phillips has been an integral part of the Senators franchise, and one of their best defenders. He wasn't a player that drove you crazy every time he stepped on the ice, but he made his presence felt. Although he just missed out on being the best, he will still be sorely missed in Ottawa.
Last List
In conclusion, the Senators have many good players, but only a few can be considered the best of the best. The names Alfredsson, Spezza, Anderson, and Karlsson, will truly go down as the greatest to ever wear a Senators uniform.
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