The Ottawa Senators Players Who Changed Hockey
When you think of the Ottawa Senators, who comes to mind? Is it the legendary ‘Pizza’ line? The defenseman who completely changed how the position is played? The Sens have had their share of absolute legends.
This isn’t just a list about stats. It’s about impact. It’s about leadership, those unforgettable moments, and the legacy these players left behind in Kanata. Some of our choices will be obvious; others might surprise you. Did your favorite player cut? Let’s find out.
Honorable Mentions
Before we get into the top ten, we’ve got to give a shout-out to a few guys whose contributions were just too significant to ignore. These are the players who helped build the foundation and bled for this franchise.
First, Wade Redden. For more than a decade, Redden was a rock on the Senators’ blue line. He was that smooth-skating, smart defenseman—the steady presence that let his offensive partners take risks. He was a massive part of the team’s climb in the early 2000s and a key piece of their run to the 2007 Stanley Cup Final.
Next up, Chris Phillips. Drafted first overall in 1996, Phillips is with the Ottawa Senators. He holds the franchise record for most games played, which speaks volumes about his loyalty and durability. As a true stay-at-home defenseman, he was the heart of the penalty kill and a leader in the locker room for almost two decades. His commitment to the team and the city of Ottawa is a legacy all its own.
And finally, we have to mention Marian Hossa. His time in Ottawa was shorter than others, but man, was it explosive. Hossa was a pure offensive force. In the 2002-03 season, he scored 45 goals, setting a franchise record at the time. He was a critical part of the Sens team that started to be seen as a real threat, proving that Ottawa could be a home for elite talent.
The Countdown Begins (10-6)
Number 10: Craig Anderson
Starting our top ten is the man who defined an entire era between the pipes in Ottawa: Craig Anderson. For a decade, Andy was the team’s backbone, often facing a ridiculous number of shots. He holds the franchise records for a goalie in wins, games played, and playoff wins. But his legacy is so much more than numbers. How could anyone forget the 2012-13 season when he posted an absurd 1.69 goals-against average and a .941 save percentage? Or his heroic, emotional return in 2017 after his wife Nicholle’s cancer diagnosis—a performance that won him the Bill Masterton Trophy and carried the Sens all the way to the Conference Finals. He was calm, he was tough, and for years, he gave Ottawa a chance to win every single night.
Number 9: Thomas Chabot
The first active player on our list is the ridiculously smooth-skating defenseman, Thomas Chabot. Since he showed up, Chabot has been the engine of the Senators’ blue line. His incredible skating, vision, and ability to play huge minutes make him one of the team’s most vital players. Though he’s still young, he’s already a leader who can control the entire flow of a game from the back end. He turns defense into offense in the blink of an eye. As the team’s current core grows up, Chabot’s role as a cornerstone defenseman and alternate captain is only going to get more critical in their push for a return to glory.
Number 8: Brady Tkachuk
At number eight, we’ve got the current heart and soul of the franchise, captain Brady Tkachuk. It’s rare to see a player embody their team’s identity quite like Tkachuk does. He’s the perfect modern power forward: a mix of skill, brute force, and just pure, unfiltered pest. He drives other teams insane while dragging his own team into the fight, every single game. Named the tenth captain in franchise history back in 2021, Brady has become the unquestioned leader of this young, exciting core. He scores huge goals, he lays massive hits, and he never, ever backs down. His impact is way bigger than the scoresheet; he gives this team a swagger that’s going to define it for years to come.
Number 7: Zdeno Chara
His time in Ottawa wasn’t long, but Zdeno Chara’s impact was seismic. When he got here, he was a raw, giant defenseman with a ton of potential. By the time he left, he was one of the most dominant and feared blueliners in the league. It was in Ottawa that Chara developed that cannon of a slap shot and the suffocating defensive game that became his trademark. He was a monster on the back end in the mid-2000s, forming an incredible duo with Wade Redden. His departure in 2006 is one of the biggest “what-ifs” in franchise history, but the time he spent here turned him into a future Norris Trophy winner and Stanley Cup champion.
Number 6: Jason Spezza
Coming in at number six is the slick, playmaking center who quarterbacked one of the most exciting lines in NHL history, Jason Spezza. Drafted second overall in 2001, Spezza was supposed to be the Sens’ next big thing, and he absolutely delivered. For more than a decade, he amazed fans with his elite vision and silky hands, creating scoring chances out of thin air. He’s second all-time for the franchise in goals, assists, and points. As the center of the famous “Pizza” line, he was the perfect setup man for his goal-scoring wingers, racking up assists and cementing himself as one of the best playmakers ever to wear the jersey. His 92-point season in 2007-08 is still the benchmark for a Senators center.
Alright, we’re halfway through, and the names are only getting bigger. Do you agree with the list so far? Who would be in your top five? Let us know what you think in the comments. And hey, if you’re enjoying this trip down memory lane, hit that subscribe button so you don’t miss the rest of our list. Now, back to it.
The Top 5
Number 5: Dany Heatley
At number five is arguably the most dominant pure goal-scorer this franchise has ever seen: Dany Heatley. For four seasons, “Heater” was an absolute juggernaut. He holds the franchise record for most goals in a season with 50—a milestone he hit in two straight years. Playing with Alfredsson and Spezza, he was the deadly finisher on the legendary “Pizza” line, a trio that terrorized goalies and led the league in scoring. In 2006-07, he set the franchise record for points in a season with 105. And while his exit from Ottawa was messy, you can’t deny what he did on the ice. At his peak, there wasn’t a more dangerous sniper in the league wearing a Sens jersey.
Number 4: Alexei Yashin
Look, this pick might be controversial for some, but you can’t tell the story of the modern Senators without Alexei Yashin. As the team’s first-ever draft pick in 1992, he was the original face of the franchise. In those early years when the team was trying to survive, Yashin was the only star—a beacon of high-end talent. He put up massive numbers on some horrible teams, scoring 30 goals as a rookie. For a while, he was the only reason the team was relevant. Yes, the contract disputes soured his relationship with the city, but his raw talent was undeniable. Plus, the trade that sent him to the Islanders brought back Zdeno Chara and the draft pick that became Jason Spezza, fueling the team’s most successful era.
Number 3: Chris Neil
Cracking the top three is a player who represents the grit, the heart, and the soul of the Ottawa Senators: Chris Neil. For 15 seasons, Neil was the team’s enforcer and its emotional core. He never took a night off. He was always ready to drop the gloves or block a shot to stand up for his teammates and get the crowd going. But calling him just a fighter does him a huge disservice. Neil was an effective role player who carved out a 1,000-game career through pure willpower. He was a fan favorite whose blue-collar attitude perfectly reflected the city he played for. Guys like Neil are the glue that holds great teams together, and his loyalty has earned him a permanent spot in the hearts of Sens fans.
Number 2: Erik Karlsson
At number two, we have the player who completely redefined what an offensive defenseman could be in the modern NHL, Erik Karlsson. Drafted 15th overall in 2008, Karlsson turned into a generational talent right in front of our eyes. A two-time Norris Trophy winner in Ottawa, he was a one-man breakout machine whose skating and puck-moving skills were just breathtaking. His 82-point season in 2015-16 was a work of art, but his most legendary moment was the 2017 playoff run. He carried the team to within a single goal of the Stanley Cup Final while playing on a fractured heel. That performance was a display of talent and toughness that will go down in hockey history. For nearly a decade, he was one of the most exciting players on the planet.
The Number One Senator
Number 1: Daniel Alfredsson
Was there ever any doubt? Standing alone at number one, as the most significant player in Ottawa Senators history, is Daniel Alfredsson. For 17 seasons, he wasn’t just the captain—he was the franchise. Alfie is the team’s all-time leader in goals, assists, and points. He was the leader through the team’s most significant moments, captaining the Sens to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2007. He scored clutch goals, played a phenomenal two-way game, and led with a quiet, powerful intensity. From his Calder-winning rookie season to his Hall of Fame induction, Alfie’s career is the story of the Ottawa Senators. He’s the player who gave this franchise its identity and its pride. His number 11 hangs in the rafters as a permanent reminder of the man who built modern hockey in the capital. He is, and always will be, “The King.”
(Conclusion)
And that’s our list—the players who truly changed hockey in Ottawa. From the original superstar in Yashin, to the heart-and-soul guys like Neil, the offensive forces like Heatley and Karlsson, and the ultimate leader in Alfredsson. These are the icons who have defined the Senators. They’ve given this city unforgettable moments, broken records, and created a team to be proud of.
But now we want to hear from you. Who did we miss? Who’s in your top ten? Drop your lists and your favorite memories of these Sens legends in the comments below. Thanks for watching, and we’ll see you in the next one.
Keep Your Stick on the Ice
Please follow and like us:
The Best Place to Buy same day essay Can Be Found Here