2008–09_Ottawa_Senators_season
2008–09 Ottawa Senators season
NHL hockey team season
The 2008–09 Ottawa Senators season was the team's 17th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The team began the season with a new head coach, Craig Hartsburg, and numerous personnel changes after narrowly making the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs. However, the team had a losing record under the new coach and he was fired in February, replaced by Binghamton Senators' head coach Cory Clouston. The team improved its record under Clouston, but not enough to qualify for the 2009 playoffs, ending an 11-year string of qualifying for the playoffs.
| 2008–09 Ottawa Senators | |
|---|---|
| Division | 4th Northeast |
| Conference | 11th Eastern |
| 2008–09 record | 36–35–11 |
| Home record | 22–12–7[1] |
| Road record | 14–23–4[1] |
| Goals for | 217 |
| Goals against | 237 |
| Team information | |
| General manager | Bryan Murray |
| Coach | Craig Hartsburg (Oct.–Feb.) Cory Clouston (Feb.–Apr.) |
| Captain | Daniel Alfredsson |
| Alternate captains | Dany Heatley Chris Phillips |
| Arena | Scotiabank Place |
| Average attendance | 19,081 (99.6%) |
| Team leaders | |
| Goals | Dany Heatley (39) |
| Assists | Daniel Alfredsson (50) |
| Points | Daniel Alfredsson (74) |
| Penalty minutes | Chris Neil (146) |
| Plus/minus | Daniel Alfredsson (+7) |
| Wins | Alex Auld, Brian Elliott (16) |
| Goals against average | Alex Auld (2.47) |
It was an off-season of numerous personnel changes. Wade Redden, a long-time Senator, signed a contract as a free agent with the New York Rangers. Ray Emery and Brian McGrattan, considered poor influences in the dressing room, were discarded. The Senators re-signed forwards Shean Donovan, Chris Kelly and Antoine Vermette and made several free agent signings, including Alex Auld, Jarkko Ruutu and Jason Smith. After an extended period of negotiations with Andrej Meszaros failed to produce a contract, the Tampa Bay Lightning showed interest in the defenceman, who was a restricted free agent. Unable to provide the draft picks needed to compensate the Senators, a trade was made and the Senators received Filip Kuba, Alexandre Picard and a first-round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft from Tampa Bay.
Highlights
On June 5, it was reported that Wade Redden would not sign a contract paying $3.5 million annually with the Senators. He instead became an unrestricted free agent (UFA) on July 1 and signed a six-year, $39 million contract with the New York Rangers.[2] On June 13, 2008, the Senators named Craig Hartsburg, coach of the Ontario Hockey League's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, the new head coach after having interviewed candidates Bob Hartley and Peter DeBoer. Hartsburg signed a three-year contract with the Senators.[3]
On June 20, the day of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, the Senators placed Ray Emery on waivers and re-signed Chris Kelly to a new four-year, $8.5 million contract.[4] At the draft, the Senators selected Erik Karlsson with their first-round pick (15th overall) and proceeded to select Patrick Wiercioch (42nd overall), Zack Smith (79th overall), Andre Petersson (109th overall), Derek Grant (119th overall), Mark Borowiecki (139th overall) and Emil Sandin (199th overall).
On July 1, the Senators announced that they had signed goaltender Alex Auld to a two-year contract worth $1 million annually. Auld is expected to serve as a backup to Martin Gerber for the 2008–09 season. On July 2, the Senators announced that they had re-signed forward Shean Donovan to a two-year contract at $625,000 per season. The Sens also announced that they have signed forward Jarkko Ruutu to a three-year contract worth $1.3 million per season. On July 5, the Ottawa Senators announced that Antoine Vermette had elected to take the club to salary arbitration. The Senators and Vermette agreed to a two-year deal on July 31. On July 8, the Senators announced that they had signed defenceman Jason Smith to a two-year, $5.2 million contract.[5] On July 16, the Senators announced that they will host the Detroit Red Wings in their official home-opener on October 11. On July 17, the Ottawa Senators and CHUM Radio announced that the club and The Team 1200 had signed a multi-year extension to their agreement to broadcast Senators' games. The original ten-year contract expired at the end of the 2007–08 season. On July 31, the Ottawa Senators and Antoine Vermette avoided going to arbitration by agreeing to terms on a new two-year contract worth $5.525 million. Vermette would make $2.525 million and $3 million for the 2008–09 and 2009–10 seasons respectively.
On August 29, in a trade similar to the Alexei Yashin trade in 2001, former first-round pick Andrej Meszaros was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Filip Kuba, Alexandre Picard and a first-round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft (obtained by Tampa Bay in an earlier trade with the San Jose Sharks).[6] Meszaros was a restricted free agent demanding $1 million more per season than what the Senators were willing to offer. After Tampa threatened to offer Meszaros an offer sheet with picks as compensation on August 28, the Senators opted to make a trade with Tampa.[7] Meszaros subsequently signed a six-year, $24 million contract on August 30 with the Lightning.[6] On September 2, the Senators made a deal with the Vancouver Canucks and traded defenceman Lawrence Nycholat for centre/right winger Ryan Shannon. On the same day, they signed another former Canucks player, Brad Isbister, who was an unrestricted free agent. On September 27, veteran defenseman Luke Richardson re-signed on a one-year, two-way contract with the Senators for his second season with the club.
On October 2, the Senators played their first-ever game in Europe, a pre-season exhibition game in Gothenburg, Sweden, against Frolunda HC,[8] which Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson played for before joining the NHL and during the 2004–05 NHL lockout. The Senators finished the 2008 pre-season with a record of 4–2–0–0.
| Pre-season | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
September/October
|
The Senators started their season with a pair of games in Stockholm, Sweden. The Senators played the Pittsburgh Penguins twice at the Scandinavium on October 4 and October 5.[8] The teams split the results, with the Penguins winning the first in overtime and the Senators winning the second. New Senator defenceman Filip Kuba picked up at least one point in each of the Senators' first eight games of the season, setting the NHL record for consecutive team games with assists from the start of a season by a defenceman. The previous mark of seven was set by Brad Park with the Boston Bruins in 1981–82.[9] All points were assists and Kuba did not score his first goal with the Senators until November 13.[10]
Alexander Nikulin, who had been demoted to the American Hockey League (AHL)'s Binghamton Senators, threatened to return to Russia unless he was traded. As a result, he was traded from Binghamton to the Phoenix Coyotes' AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, for Drew Fata.[11]
For a game on November 22 against the New York Rangers, the Senators unveiled their new third jersey. Marketed as "Back in Black," the jersey is primarily black. The Senators' primary logo moves to the shoulders and the nickname "SENS" is across the front of the jersey.[12]
Prior to that game, the Senators players, the team below the playoff cutoff in the standings for most of October through November, decided to grow moustaches, similar to the playoff beard tradition of teams in the playoffs. The team started growing the moustaches following a loss to the Montreal Canadiens on November 20. The idea originated with Dany Heatley.[13]
On November 27, the Senators waived Luke Richardson, a veteran of nearly 20 years in the NHL. He was not picked up by any other team and subsequently retired. He had not seen much playing time with Senators, and had been a healthy scratch several times in the season.
From December until early January, the Senators took an eight-game road trip as Scotiabank Place was used for the 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. The team, already well back of a playoff spot, received intense scrutiny by the media, believing a "shake-up" of some kind was imminent. The team only won one game on the road trip, and on January 7, Owner Eugene Melnyk was compelled to respond to media reports of the imminent firings of general manager Bryan Murray and head coach Craig Hartsburg:
“Contrary to what is being reported today by the media, I have made no decisions with respect to any personnel changes within the Senators organization. Winning remains our No. 1 priority and there is a collective focus by our management, our coaching staff and our players to deliver this to our fans.
I, along with our fans, will do nothing but continue to remain fully committed to our Senators and enthusiastically cheer them on to a successful second half of the season.
This is crunch time. Now, more than ever, is the time to rally behind our team. We don’t surrender half-way through the season.
Every victory from here on in matters. We know it and the fans know it. Period.”
At the end of the road trip on January 8, the club was 13 points behind the eighth and final playoff spot, held by the Buffalo Sabres. The Ottawa Citizen launched the "Tavares Cup," similar in spirit to the "Daigle Cup" of 1993, to keep track of the bottom five teams in the NHL, all of which had a chance, at least via the draft lottery, to draft the highly rated junior player, John Tavares. At the time of the start of the "competition," the Senators were within the lowest five teams in the League.[15]
Also on January 7, forward Jarkko Ruutu received a suspension of two games for biting in an altercation with a Buffalo Sabres forward on January 6. It was Ruutu's second suspension of the season, after elbowing a Montreal Canadiens forward earlier in the season.[16]
On January 9, 2009, goaltender Brian Elliott was recalled by Ottawa from Binghamton.[17] He had been named the AHL's Goaltender of the Month for December.[18] On January 15, Senators goaltender Martin Gerber was demoted to Binghamton for a two-week conditioning stint; he was placed on waivers and was assigned to Binghamton on January 27.[19] Elliott started six games in a row and remained with Ottawa.
On January 29, less than a month after previous comments to the media about the Senators, Eugene Melnyk responded to media speculation about possible organization changes with another memorable quote:
“Anybody that says we should blow up this organization should get their own bomb and go blow themselves up.”[20]
At the time, the Senators remained near the bottom of the League in 29th place, with the lowest goal-scoring record in the NHL.
However, only three days later, on February 2, head coach Craig Hartsburg was fired, ending his tenure with the Senators at only 48 games. Following a 7–4 loss to the Washington Capitals on February 1, Hartsburg had called out his team for not playing hard.[21] Binghamton Senators' head coach Cory Clouston was elevated to head coach of Ottawa for the balance of the season.[22] Clouston became the fourth head coach to coach the Senators in a year, prompting the media to dub the players as "coach-killers."[23] Assistant Coach Curtis Hunt was also let go (he became the Binghamton head coach) and recently retired defenceman Luke Richardson joined the coaching staff as an assistant.[24]
On February 12, former head coach John Paddock (who had moved on to coach the AHL' Philadelphia Phantoms) weighed in on the firing, stating that at some point that GM Bryan Murray would be held accountable:
“I think now he's next in line. We were 14 games over .500 when I was fired. They're seven under now. Somebody needs to take responsibility for that. Whether the coaches he hired and fired were good or not, they're his players and they're either not playing good or can't play, one or the other.” He was then asked which was the case: “The players are not very good, that's the problem.”[25]
Paddock apologized to Murray via e-mail. Murray commented, "I'm disappointed and a little bit surprised by it. I'm not sure what purpose he was trying to achieve doing that. He sent me an apology. The only complaint I ever had with John was that I didn't think he worked hard enough at getting himself ready and getting the team ready to play games."[26]
Late in February and early in March, as the season neared the trade deadline, the team still held out hold of making the playoffs although the team remained over ten points out of a playoff spot, as the team was winning more often with Clouston. The Senators began making roster deals, sending Dean McAmmond and a 2009 first-round pick for Chris Campoli and Mike Comrie. By the NHL trade deadline day of March 4, Murray admitted to the media that the club would be "sellers" and had given up hope of making the playoffs. On March 4, Antoine Vermette was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets for goaltender Pascal Leclaire and a draft pick. Martin Gerber was put on waivers three times and was finally picked up by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Although the club improved its record under new coach Clouston, including a 10–5–0 record in March, it was not enough to salvage the season. On March 31, following a loss to the Florida Panthers and a win by the Montreal Canadiens, the club was officially eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since 1996.
Although eliminated, the team continued to play well, including a nine-game win streak on home ice. By April 8, the team's record under Clouston was 19–10–3 and he was rewarded with a two-year deal to continue coaching the Senators.[27]
Divisional standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | z – Boston Bruins | 82 | 53 | 19 | 10 | 274 | 196 | 116 |
| 2 | Montreal Canadiens | 82 | 41 | 30 | 11 | 249 | 247 | 93 |
| 3 | Buffalo Sabres | 82 | 41 | 32 | 9 | 250 | 234 | 91 |
| 4 | Ottawa Senators | 82 | 36 | 35 | 11 | 217 | 237 | 83 |
| 5 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 82 | 34 | 35 | 13 | 250 | 293 | 81 |
Conference standings
| R | Div | GP | W | L | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | z – Boston Bruins | NE | 82 | 53 | 19 | 10 | 274 | 196 | 116 | ||
| 2 | y – Washington Capitals | SE | 82 | 50 | 24 | 8 | 272 | 245 | 108 | ||
| 3 | y – New Jersey Devils | AT | 82 | 51 | 27 | 4 | 244 | 209 | 106 | ||
| 4 | Pittsburgh Penguins | AT | 82 | 45 | 28 | 9 | 264 | 239 | 99 | ||
| 5 | Philadelphia Flyers | AT | 82 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 264 | 238 | 99 | ||
| 6 | Carolina Hurricanes | SE | 82 | 45 | 30 | 7 | 239 | 226 | 97 | ||
| 7 | New York Rangers | AT | 82 | 43 | 30 | 9 | 210 | 218 | 95 | ||
| 8 | Montreal Canadiens | NE | 82 | 41 | 30 | 11 | 249 | 247 | 93 | ||
| 8.5 | |||||||||||
| 9 | Florida Panthers | SE | 82 | 41 | 30 | 11 | 234 | 231 | 93 | ||
| 10 | Buffalo Sabres | NE | 82 | 41 | 32 | 9 | 250 | 234 | 91 | ||
| 11 | Ottawa Senators | NE | 82 | 36 | 35 | 11 | 217 | 237 | 83 | ||
| 12 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NE | 82 | 34 | 35 | 13 | 250 | 293 | 81 | ||
| 13 | Atlanta Thrashers | SE | 82 | 35 | 41 | 6 | 257 | 280 | 76 | ||
| 14 | Tampa Bay Lightning | SE | 82 | 24 | 40 | 18 | 210 | 279 | 66 | ||
| 15 | New York Islanders | AT | 82 | 26 | 47 | 9 | 201 | 279 | 61 | ||
bold – qualified for playoffs, y – division winner, z – placed first in conference (and division)
AT – Atlantic Division, NE – Northeast Division, SE – Southeast Division
| 2008–09 Game log | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
October: 4–5–1 (Home: 1–4–1; Road: 3–1–0)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
November: 4–5–3 (Home: 4–1–1; Road: 0–4–2)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
December: 5–7–1 (Home: 4–1–1; Road: 1–6–0)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
January: 3–6–2 (Home: 2–2–1; Road: 1–4–1)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
February: 6–5–3 (Home: 2–3–2; Road: 4–2–1)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March: 10–5–0 (Home: 7–1–0; Road: 3–4–0)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
April: 3–2–1 (Home: 2–0–1; Road: 1–2–0)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Legend: Win (2 points) Loss (0 points) Overtime/shootout loss (1 point) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| @ Indicates away game. S Played at Scandinavium Arena, Stockholm, SE. † First game in Sweden is considered a "home" game. |
Skaters
|
Goaltenders
| Regular season | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
#Retired.
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Senators. Stats reflect time with Senators only.
‡Traded mid-season.
- Pos = Position; GPI = Games played in; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes; +/- = Plus/minus; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
- Min, TOI = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T,T/OT = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;
The Senators attempted to make the playoffs for the 12th straight season. Prior to the season, a majority of predictions by the media placed the Senators to enter the playoffs as the fourth seed or lower.[104][105] Some, including The Hockey News' Adam Proteau, placed the team to miss the playoffs altogether.[106] However, if they make the playoffs, Proteau plans to
“Commission a musical mash-up consisting of Alanis Morissette and Paul Anka music – and Tom Green's short-lived professional rap career – and listen to it on repeat for an entire drive from Toronto to Ottawa. And back, even.”
The Hockey News, December 11, 2008[107]
After changing coaches and improving play, the Senators were not able to qualify for the playoffs. On March 31, the Senators were mathematically eliminated from the playoff race.
Records
- NHL record for consecutive team games with assists from the start of a season by a defenseman (8) – Filip Kuba.
- March 5, 2009 – Jason Spezza scored at 0:12 of the first period to set a new Senators record for the fastest goal from the start of a game.[108]
- April 7, 2009 – Team won ninth consecutive home game to set new team record.[109]
Milestones
| Regular season | |||||||||
| Player | Milestone | Reached | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Phillips | 700th NHL game | October 4, 2008 | |||||||
| Filip Kuba | First assist with Ottawa First point with Ottawa | October 4, 2008 | |||||||
| Alex Auld | First game with Ottawa First start with Ottawa First win with Ottawa | October 5, 2008 | |||||||
| Alexandre Picard | First goal with Ottawa First point with Ottawa | October 11, 2008 | |||||||
| Chris Kelly | 100th career point | October 18, 2008 | |||||||
| Alexandre Picard | 100th NHL game | October 25, 2008 | |||||||
| Dany Heatley | 291st career point with Ottawa (passing Shawn McEachern for 7th on Senators' all-time point scoring list) | November 6, 2008 | |||||||
| Jesse Winchester | First NHL goal | November 6, 2008 | |||||||
| Zack Smith | First NHL game | November 29, 2008 | |||||||
| Brendan Bell | First goal with Ottawa First assist with Ottawa First point with Ottawa | December 3, 2008 | |||||||
| Jason Spezza | Second career Hat-Trick | December 6, 2008 | |||||||
| Dany Heatley | 500th career point | December 20, 2008 | |||||||
| Jason Smith | First goal with Ottawa First point with Ottawa | December 20, 2008 | |||||||
| Martin Gerber | 100th game in net for OttawaA | January 8, 2009 | |||||||
| Mike Fisher | 500th regular-season NHL game | January 13, 2009 | |||||||
| Peter Regin | First NHL game | January 20, 2009 | |||||||
| Peter Regin | First NHL goal | January 29, 2009 | |||||||
| Daniel Alfredsson | 900th regular-season NHL game | February 1, 2009 | |||||||
| Shean Donovan | 900th regular-season NHL game | February 14, 2009 | |||||||
| Jason Spezza | 391st point with Senators (passing Marian Hossa for fifth on Senators' all-time point scoring list) | February 14, 2009 | |||||||
| Jason Smith | 1,000th regular-season NHL game | February 17, 2009 | |||||||
| Daniel Alfredsson | 350th NHL goal | March 7, 2009 | |||||||
| Jason Spezza | 400th point with Senators (passing Radek Bonk for fourth on Senators' all-time point scoring list) | March 11, 2009 | |||||||
| Brian Elliott | First NHL shutout. | March 29, 2009 | |||||||
- ALater demoted to Binghamton and released on waivers, it was also his last game with Ottawa.
- May 29, 2008 - re-signed Jesse Winchester
- June 2, 2008 - signed Peter Regin to entry-level contract.
- June 13, 2008 - signed Craig Hartsburg to a three-year contract.
- June 18, 2008 - re-signed Matt Carkner to a two-year contract.
- June 20, 2008 - placed Ray Emery on waivers. (bought out)
- June 20, 2008 - re-signed Chris Kelly
- July 1, 2008 - signed Alex Auld to two-year contract
- July 2, 2008 - re-signed Shean Donovan
- July 2, 2008 - signed Jarkko Ruutu
- July 7, 2008 - re-signed Greg Mauldin to a one-year, two-way contract.
- July 8, 2008 - signed Jason Smith
- July 11, 2008 - signed Mitchell O'Keefe to a one-year, entry-level contract.
- July 11, 2008 - signed Brendan Bell to a one-year, two-way contract.
- July 11, 2008 - signed Curtis Hunt to a three-year contract.
- July 28, 2008 - re-signed Jeff Glass to a one-year, two-way contract.
- July 29, 2008 - re-signed Josh Hennessy to a two-year, two-way contract.
- July 31, 2008 - re-signed Antoine Vermette to a two-year contract.
- August 11, 2008 - re-signed Geoff Waugh to a one-year, two-way contract.
- August 14, 2008 - signed Zack Smith to an entry-level contract.
- September 4, 2008 - signed Brad Isbister to a one-year, two-way contract.
- September 27, 2008 - re-signed Luke Richardson to a one-year, two-way contract.
- September 27, 2008 - assigned Brad Isbister to Binghamton. Isbister declined and was loaned to EV Zug on October 4.
- October 30, 2008 - re-signed Daniel Alfredsson to a four-year contract extension.[110]
- November 27, 2008 - placed Luke Richardson on waivers. (retired)[111]
- January 22, 2009 - placed Martin Gerber on waivers. (assigned to Binghamton)[112]
- February 2, 2009 - fire Craig Hartsburg as head coach, elevate Cory Clouston to head coach.
- March 4, 2009 - re-signed Filip Kuba to three-year contract extension at $3.7 million per season.
- March 9, 2009 - signed free agent Craig Schira to three-year entry-level contract.[113]
Source: senators.nhl.com
Trades
| June 20, 2008 | To Nashville Predators 1st-round pick (18th overall) in 2008 3rd-round pick in 2009 |
To Ottawa Senators 1st-round pick (15th overall) in 2008 |
| June 25, 2008[114] | To Phoenix Coyotes Brian McGrattan |
To Ottawa Senators 5th-round pick in 2009 |
| August 29, 2008 | To Tampa Bay Lightning Andrej Meszaros |
To Ottawa Senators 1st-round pick in 2009 Filip Kuba Alexandre Picard |
| September 2, 2008 | To Vancouver Canucks Lawrence Nycholat |
To Ottawa Senators Ryan Shannon |
| November 1, 2008 | To Phoenix Coyotes Alexander Nikulin |
To Ottawa Senators Drew Fata |
| February 20, 2009 | To New York Islanders Dean McAmmond 1st-round pick in 2009 |
To Ottawa Senators Mike Comrie Chris Campoli |
| March 4, 2009 | To Columbus Blue Jackets Antoine Vermette |
To Ottawa Senators Pascal Leclaire 2nd-round pick in 2009 |
Free agent acquisitions
|
Players lost to free agency
| Player | New team |
|---|---|
| Mike Commodore | Columbus Blue Jackets |
| Wade Redden | New York Rangers |
| Cory Stillman | Florida Panthers |
| Randy Robitaille | HC Lugano |
Waivers
|
Ottawa's picks at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft in Ottawa, Ontario.
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | Club team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 | Erik Karlsson | Defence |  Sweden | Frolunda HC (J20 SuperElit) |
| 2 | 42 | Patrick Wiercioch | Defence |  Canada | Omaha Lancers (USHL) |
| 3 | 79 | Zack Smith | Center | Canada | Swift Current Broncos (WHL) |
| 4 | 109 | Andre Petersson | Forward | Sweden | HV71 (J20 SuperElit) |
| 4 | 119 | Derek Grant | Center | Canada | Langley Chiefs (BCHL) |
| 5 | 139 | Mark Borowiecki | Defence | Canada | Smiths Falls Bears (CJHL) |
| 7 | 199 | Emil Sandin | Forward | Sweden | Brynas IF (J20 SuperElit) |
The Senators continued their affiliation with the Binghamton Senators of the American Hockey League (AHL) and added an affiliation agreement with the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL.[119] In previous years, Elmira had accepted players from Binghamton on a player-by-player basis. The new agreement formalized the arrangement of Elmira as the primary affiliate of Binghamton and the secondary affiliate of Ottawa.[119]
- Includes one game in Sweden.
- Garrioch, Bruce. "Redden to go on market". Slam! Sports. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2008.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - "HARTSBURG INTRODUCED AS NEW HEAD COACH IN OTTAWA". TSN.ca. June 13, 2008. Archived from the original on January 12, 2009. Retrieved June 13, 2008.
- "Kelly Staying with Senators". June 20, 2008. Archived from the original on October 7, 2008. Retrieved June 23, 2008.
- "Senators sign free agent defenceman Smith". TSN.ca. July 8, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
- "Mes Wanted to Stay". Slam Sports. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2008.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - "Bolting to Sunshine State?". Slam Sports. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2008.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - "Four NHL teams to open the 2008–09 regular season in Europe Oct. 4–5". NHL.com. January 26, 2008. Retrieved April 24, 2008. [dead link]
- "NHL.com - News". November 26, 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
- "Ottawa Senators Recap". November 14, 2008. Archived from the original on December 19, 2008. Retrieved November 18, 2008.
- "Coyotes acquire Nikulin from Senators". coyotes.nhl.com. November 3, 2008. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved November 3, 2008.
- "Back in Black". Archived from the original on November 3, 2008. Retrieved November 18, 2008.
- "Win-starved Senators adopt moustache look". CBC Sports. November 22, 2008. Retrieved December 18, 2008.
- "Bulletin: A statement from Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk". Ottawa Senators. January 8, 2009. Archived from the original on January 9, 2009. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
- Warren, Ken (January 7, 2009). "Nothing decided, Melnyk says, but ..." Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved February 4, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- "Ruutu suspended for two games". Ottawa Citizen. January 7, 2009. Retrieved January 9, 2009. [dead link]
- "Senators hope Elliott supplies boost". CBC News. January 10, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
- "Bulletin: Senators assign Gerber to Binghamton". Ottawa Senators. January 27, 2009. Archived from the original on January 31, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
- Brennan, Don (January 30, 2009). "Sens owner Melnyk misfires". Canoe - Slam! Sports. Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2009.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - "Struggling Senators Fire Coach Hartsburg". TSN. February 2, 2009. Archived from the original on February 5, 2009. Retrieved February 2, 2009.
- "Senators fire Hartsburg". globesports.com. February 2, 2009. Retrieved February 2, 2009.
- Warren, Ken (February 3, 2009). "Players downplay coach-killer label". National Post. Retrieved February 3, 2009. [dead link]
- Garrioch, Bruce (February 4, 2009). "Sens Notebook". Slam! Sports. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - Gormley, Chuck (February 12, 2009). "Parent tries to stay on top unit". Camden Courier-Post. Retrieved February 12, 2009. [dead link]
- Gormley, Chuck (February 13, 2008). "Flyers suffer ugly defeat". Camden Courier-Post. Retrieved February 13, 2009. [dead link]
- "Sens keeping Clouston behind bench". Ottawa Senators. April 8, 2009. Archived from the original on January 9, 2010. Retrieved April 8, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Ottawa @ Philadelphia - 12/23/2008". December 28, 2008. Archived from the original on December 28, 2008.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Ottawa @ Calgary - 12/27/2008". December 31, 2008. Archived from the original on December 31, 2008.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Ottawa @ Toronto - 01/03/2009". February 17, 2009. Archived from the original on February 17, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Ottawa @ New Jersey - 01/04/2009". January 9, 2009. Archived from the original on January 9, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Ottawa @ Buffalo - 01/06/2009". January 9, 2009. Archived from the original on January 9, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Ottawa @ Boston - 01/08/2009". January 10, 2009. Archived from the original on January 10, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: NY Rangers @ Ottawa - 01/10/2009". January 12, 2009. Archived from the original on January 12, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Carolina @ Ottawa - 01/13/2009". January 18, 2009. Archived from the original on January 18, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Ottawa @ Atlanta - 01/14/2009". January 16, 2009. Archived from the original on January 16, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Montréal @ Ottawa - 01/17/2009". January 18, 2009. Archived from the original on January 18, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: New Jersey @ Ottawa - 01/27/2009". February 17, 2009. Archived from the original on February 17, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Ottawa @ St Louis - 01/29/2009". February 17, 2009. Archived from the original on February 17, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Ottawa @ Columbus - 01/30/2009". February 9, 2009. Archived from the original on February 9, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Ottawa @ Washington - 02/01/2009". February 3, 2009. Archived from the original on February 3, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Los Angeles @ Ottawa - 02/03/2009". February 7, 2009. Archived from the original on February 7, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Boston @ Ottawa - 02/05/2009". February 12, 2009. Archived from the original on February 12, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Buffalo @ Ottawa - 02/07/2009". February 11, 2009. Archived from the original on February 11, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Ottawa @ Buffalo - 02/11/2009". February 17, 2009. Archived from the original on February 17, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Ottawa @ Philadelphia - 02/12/2009". February 17, 2009. Archived from the original on February 17, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Ottawa @ Minnesota - 02/14/2009". February 17, 2009. Archived from the original on February 17, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Ottawa @ Nashville - 02/16/2009". February 21, 2009. Archived from the original on February 21, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Ottawa @ Colorado - 02/17/2009". February 21, 2009. Archived from the original on February 21, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Vancouver @ Ottawa - 02/19/2009". February 25, 2009. Archived from the original on February 25, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Ottawa @ Montréal - 02/21/2009". February 25, 2009. Archived from the original on February 25, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Carolina @ Ottawa - 02/24/2009". February 28, 2009. Archived from the original on February 28, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: San Jose @ Ottawa - 02/26/2009". March 1, 2009. Archived from the original on March 1, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Toronto @ Ottawa - 02/28/2009". March 3, 2009. Archived from the original on March 3, 2009.
- "Archived copy". senators.nhl.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2010. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Edmonton @ Ottawa - 03/05/2009". March 7, 2009. Archived from the original on March 7, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Buffalo @ Ottawa - 03/07/2009". March 15, 2009. Archived from the original on March 15, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Toronto @ Ottawa - 03/09/2009". March 15, 2009. Archived from the original on March 15, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Tampa Bay @ Ottawa - 03/11/2009". March 16, 2009. Archived from the original on March 16, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Ottawa @ Boston - 03/12/2009". March 16, 2009. Archived from the original on March 16, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Ottawa @ Pittsburgh - 03/14/2009". March 16, 2009. Archived from the original on March 16, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Buffalo @ Ottawa - 03/17/2009". March 28, 2009. Archived from the original on March 28, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Montréal @ Ottawa - 03/19/2009". March 28, 2009. Archived from the original on March 28, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: NY Islanders @ Ottawa - 03/21/2009". March 28, 2009. Archived from the original on March 28, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Ottawa @ NY Rangers - 03/22/2009". March 28, 2009. Archived from the original on March 28, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Ottawa @ Carolina - 03/25/2009". April 1, 2009. Archived from the original on April 1, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Ottawa @ Atlanta - 03/28/2009". April 1, 2009. Archived from the original on April 1, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Philadelphia @ Ottawa - 04/04/2009". July 6, 2009. Archived from the original on July 6, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Ottawa @ Montréal - 04/06/2009". July 6, 2009. Archived from the original on July 6, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: New Jersey @ Ottawa - 04/09/2009". July 6, 2009. Archived from the original on July 6, 2009.
- Buccigross, John (October 7, 2008). "Familiar ring to Eastern Conference outlook". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 10, 2008. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
- Moore, Mark. "Eastern Conference Picks". The Hockey News. Archived from the original on 12 October 2008. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
- Proteau, Adam (September 25, 2008). "Screen Shots: 2008–09 Eastern Conference predictions". Archived from the original on November 10, 2008. Retrieved December 18, 2008.
- Proteau, Adam (11 December 2008). "Screen Shots: Ready to count 'em out". Archived from the original on 17 December 2008. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- "Ottawa Senators Recap: Edmonton @ Ottawa". Ottawa Senators. March 6, 2009. Archived from the original on March 7, 2009. Retrieved March 6, 2009.
- "Ottawa Senators - Recap: Boston @ Ottawa - 04 July 2009". Ottawa Senators. April 8, 2009. Archived from the original on January 9, 2010. Retrieved April 8, 2009.
- "Alfredsson and Senators agree to four-year deal". TSN.ca. October 30, 2008. Retrieved October 30, 2008.
- Canadian Press (January 22, 2009). "Senators put defenceman Richardson on waivers". globesports.com. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
- Canadian Press (January 22, 2009). "Senators place Gerber on waivers". globesports.com. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
- "Bulletin: Senators sign Vancouver Giants defenceman Craig Schira". Ottawa Senators. Archived from the original on March 15, 2009. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
- "Senators Acquire 2009 5th-round Pick from Phoenix for McGrattan". Ottawa Senators. June 25, 2008. Archived from the original on July 6, 2008. Retrieved June 23, 2009.
- "Senators sign Jason Smith". SLAM! Sports. July 8, 2008. Archived from the original on July 14, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - "Bulletin: Senators Sign Defenceman Brendan Bell To A One-year Contract". Ottawa Senators. July 11, 2008. Archived from the original on July 17, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
- "Bulletin: Senators Sign Goaltender Mitchell O'Keefe To A One-year Contract". Ottawa Senators. July 11, 2008. Archived from the original on July 17, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
- "Isbister Gets Shot With Sens". Slam Sports. September 5, 2008. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2008.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - "Bulletin: Senators Reach Affiliation Agreement with Elmira". Ottawa Senators. August 14, 2008. Archived from the original on August 17, 2008. Retrieved August 14, 2008.