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Ottawa Senators Top 10 All-Time All-Stars

OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 4: Daniel Alfredsson #11 of the Ottawa Senators acknowledges the fans as he leaves the ice on the day he signed a one day contract and then announced his retirement prior to an NHL game against the New York Islanders at Canadian Tire Centre on December 4, 2014 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)

It’s All-Star Game time and who doesn’t like a good top 10 list with some Ottawa Senators flavour? Here we take a look at the best Ottawa Senator All-Stars over the years. The list goes back to the 1993 game when their members were first selected. Over that period, 19 players have played in the All-Star Game representing the Canadian national capital. The ranking merits are based on a variety of topics. Furthermore, one point is that only players that physically played in the game are considered (those selected but did not play were not considered).

The Top 10 of the Best Ottawa Senators All-Stars

How To Decide The Best Ottawa Senators All-Stars

In terms of the factors that were used to determine a player’s rank for the Ottawa Senators’ top 10 All-Stars, some were weighted more than others. The factors that were given more weight include the number of All-Star Game appearances and career totals as a Senator. Also, performance in the game as an active member of the Senator as well. For example, Dany Heatley’s four-goal performance in 2003 was when he was a member of the Atlanta Thrashers. Therefore, it was not used to determine the overall rankings. In addition, most players on the list played multiple times, with a couple of exceptions. Other than that the criteria are pretty open to interpretation and attempted sufficient explanation provided. Hopefully, you enjoy the list and relive some of the memorable all-star moments over the years.

Number 10: Radek Bonk

What would a top-ten list be without mentioning the Czech national, Radek Bonk? Bonk making the list is a mix. He meant a lot to the organization as well as his All-Star Game prowess. First of all, he was the third overall pick in the 1994 entry draft. In total, he played 689 games over ten seasons for the Sens. Additionally, Bonk appeared in the 2000 and the 2001 all-star games. He recorded two goals and one assist in those games, and very deserving of his selection to our list.

Number 9: Ron Tugnutt

Another important piece to the early days of the Senators’ organization. At number nine of the top 10 Ottawa Senators All-Stars, Tugnutt began to play for the Senators in the 1996-97 season. This coincided with the team beginning to turn around their fortunes. After years of futility and an 18-win 1995-96 campaign, Ottawa, with the help of Tugnutt, qualified for the 1997 playoffs. In all, Tugnutt amassed a 72-51-25 record over four seasons with the Senators. In 1999, he earned the call to the All-Star Game. Despite allowing three goals against in his one period of play, he was the goalie of record. Tugnutt got the win as Team North America downed Team World 8-6.

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Number 8: Marian Hossa

Marian Hossa truly was a dominant forward throughout his career. In his two All-Star Game appearances, 2001 and 2003, he only managed a pair of assists. However, during his time with the Senators, he recorded 188 goals over seven seasons. This was highlighted by his performance in the 2003 playoffs. The Senators reached the conference finals for the first time in team history. Hossa finished 5th in playoff scoring that year with five goals, and 11 assists for 16 points.

Number 7: Dany Heatley

Some fans may expect to see him higher on this list. Despite his remarkable offensive seasons throughout his time in Ottawa, he only made two All-Star Games. Heatley ranks number seven on the top 10 list of Ottawa Senators all-stars. He played in 2007 and 2009, tallying two goals and two assists. Moreover, Heatley managed back-to-back 50-goal, 100-point seasons during his four years in Ottawa. This included helping the team reach its first and only Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 2007.

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Number 6: Anthony Duclair

Anthony Duclair’s (like Tugnutt’s) selection to our list is a bit of an outlier as he only appeared in one game. Although when you consider his three-goal and two-assist showcase in 2020, he is more than deserving. Duclair only played 87 games with the Senators, scoring 31 times. More importantly, this time for Duclair was a turning point in his career projection. He had now established himself as a top-line type player. This allowed him to secure his current contract with the Florida Panthers in 2021 at $3 million a year.

Number 5: Alexei Yashin

Alexei Yashin was the first face of the franchise when he started in 1993-94. After being picked second overall in 1992, his rookie season saw him score 30 goals and add 49 assists in 83 games. Yashin would compile 491 points over seven seasons for the team. Moreover, Yashin played in the 1994 and 1999 All-Star Games. In 1994, Yashin had two goals including the game-winner. The Eastern Conference won the game 9-8. If anyone did not know who the Senator rookie was, they now knew him.

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Number 4: Jason Spezza

Before we get to the top three, Spezza mostly owes his high rank to his career accolades over All-Star prowess. He played in two games, 2008 and 2012, posting one goal and three assists. Conversely, as was mentioned, Spezza’s high ranking points to his career accomplishments. He was selected second overall in 2001 and made his debut as a 19-year-old in 2002. Spezza was a point-a-game player over 11 seasons with the franchise. Along with Heatley and Daniel Alfredsson, they formed the top line that made the finals against the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.

Number 3: Brady Tkachuk

The current Ottawa Senators captain is also the only current team member on the list. The 2023 game marks his third. This puts him alone in third in most All-Star Games played as a representative of the Ottawa Senators. So far, Tkachuk has three assists in his previous two selections. Brady Tkachuk is currently on pace for a career year with 20 goals, and 31 assists for 51 points in just 50 games. His previous career highs are from last year’s 30 goals and 37 assists.

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Number 2: Erik Karlsson

The top-two selections are not a big surprise. At number two, Erik Karlsson played in the second most All-Star games as a Senator in five. Over his nine seasons with Ottawa, he managed 518 points in 627 games played. Twice he was awarded the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenceman. In the 2017 playoffs, Karlsson was a big part of the team that made it to the Conference finals.

Number 1: Daniel Alfredsson

The soul of the Ottawa Senators franchise claims his spot at the top of the list of best All-Stars. Daniel Alfredsson went an amazing 16-year span as an NHL All-Star. His first of six appearances was in 1996 and his last in 2012. Alfredsson has the most career goals (four) and assists (four) as an All-Star for the Ottawa Senators. Alfredsson played all but one of his 18-year NHL career as a member of the Ottawa Senators. He ended up with 1108 points in 1178 games as a member of the Senators. He also added 100 career playoff points as a Senator.

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