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WHY OTTAWA IS SO GOOD
Originally posted April 7, 1999: Volume 1, Issue 14

A person referring to the Ottawa Senators as a "Stanley Cup contender" might initially be confronted with a suggestion that he or she is suffering some temporary form of dementia. It was only three seasons ago that the Senators were the NHL's laughing-stock. Surely this team has not come so far so soon... has it? But one need only open the newspaper and turn to the sports section to see "Ottawa" standing alone atop the Eastern Conference, and second in the NHL overall. And you realize that the person uttering that reference is possessed entirely of a sound mind.

Nevertheless, you still do not hear many people refer to the Senators as Stanley Cup contenders. And one must ask: why not? It is almost as if it is impossible to separate the present force from the primal farce that finished dead last in the NHL in 1995-96, with a record of 18-59-5. That confusion is not surprising, since many of the players from the former squad are still with the team. Alexei Yashin, Daniel Alfredsson, Radek Bonk, Lance Pitlick, Janne Laukkanen, Patrick Traverse, Damian Rhodes all played games with the Senators in 1995-96. Chris Phillips, Wade Redden, Andreas Dackell, Sami Salo and Bruce Gardiner were all in the system during that season -- Phillips and Redden in the junior leagues, Salo and Dackell in Europe and Gardiner in the AHL.

Captain Fantastic
Alexei
What has happened in the interim is that a group of young, immature individuals has become older and wiser. It is now a mature, confident team. A microcosm of that transformation is the captain, Alexei Yashin. There was never any doubt about his talent; there was always concern about his commitment. The latter concern has been permanently laid to rest. Yashin has become not only a superstar but the undisputed team leader, an acknowledged "character" player.

A mark of this team's maturity is that it has endured embarrassment, controversy and scandal -- not only in the distant past but as recently as this season:

* Owner Rod Bryden has threatened to move the team if governments do not ease the onerous tax burden the team is forced to pay;

* The team's third general manager, Pierre Gauthier, left at the end of last season, ostensibly for family reasons. He accepted an executive position with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks within a few weeks;

Bonk is Better
Radek
* Captain Alexei Yashin committed to contributing one million dollars over five years to the National Arts Centre (NAC) in Ottawa, only later to retract that commitment. NAC suggested that Yashin backed out of his agreement because NAC would not honour an alleged "side agreement" to pay a company owned by Yashin's parents $85,000 per year. Yashin denied NAC's claim, stating that it was intended only that his parents be paid for services rendered;

* Centre Radek Bonk was charged with drunk driving (the charges were later withdrawn when it was suggested that evidence against Bonk was manufactured).

Wade Redden
Wade
If that was not enough, the team has survived injuries to key personnel: Daniel Alfredsson, Chris Phillips, Wade Redden, Janne Laukkanen and Marian Hossa have been out for extended periods this season. A team that overcomes such adversity as this is, invariably, a well-coached team. Jacques Martin can assume much of the credit for having forged this motley crew into a formidable force. It is stunning that he has received so little consideration for coach-of-the-year honours.

"Backup" Rhodes has played more games than Tugnutt!
Damian
But, quietly, the Senators have players who will merit serious consideration when the league's hardware is distributed in June. Alexei Yashin, who has been in the top ten in goals scored and points all season, is a candidate for MVP honours as well as having a "shot" at the new Rocket Richard Trophy for the top goal scorer. Magnus Arvedson, with a +32, is the leading candidate for the Frank Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward. Ron Tugnutt has led the league in goals against average and thus stands poised to steal the Vezina from Dominik Hasek. Radek Bonk has not been the offensive force once expected, but the big centre is among the league leaders in hits.

This is a strong, defense oriented team. With a +62 differential between goals for and goals against, the Senators lead the league. No player who has been with the team the entire season has a negative +/- statistic. So let there be no doubt: this team is a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. While that may be a surprise this year, it will become routine in the future. With many of its best players in their early to mid-twenties, the Senators may well become stronger. Whether that future is in Ottawa is a story for another day, and another article. This season, Senators fans will enjoy the Conference Final against the New Jersey Devils.

Photos by Hockey.Ontheweb.