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Ottawa Senators News

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Grand master Phillips sparks Sens
February 10
Ottawa Sun
 
"Chris Phillips couldn't have dreamed up a much better ending for his 1,000th game. Two goals. And, most importantly, the Senators brought a seven-game losing streak to a screeching halt, beating Mike Fisher and the Nashville Predators 4-3. It was Ottawa's first win at home since Jan. 8. Not only did Phillips end a 74-game goal-scoring drought, he did it in dramatic fashion by scoring the winner with a rare power-play goal in the third period for only the fourth two-goal game of his NHL career. "It's unbelievable. The whole hype around it was exciting," said Phillips. "To be in my 1,000th game and then to top it off with a couple of goals and it ends up being the game-winner. You can't"
Fans love Fisher, Melnyk hates 'drunken guys'
February 10
Ottawa Citizen
 
"On Thursday, the Scotiabank Place crowd greeted the returning Mike Fisher with a warm welcome 11 minutes into the game. As the Ottawa Senators paid tribute to Fisher's career with the Senators in a video highlight package on the scoreboard, he received a standing ovation. It marked quite the contrast from the mood in the building when the Toronto Maple Leafs visited last Saturday. According to Senators owner Eugene Melnyk, that atmosphere can't be tolerated. Melnyk, talking early Thursday afternoon in a fan chat with season ticket holders, vowed to make changes."
Mike Fisher returns to Ottawa
February 10
Tennessean
 
"Mike Fisher's visor is clear. You can see his eyes, and pretty much his entire face through the half shield. That meant you could view his entire emotional spectrum on the ice during his return to Ottawa. But there were times when Fisher, who spent 13 years with the Senators organization before a trade last February, wanted to shield his face. "I almost wish I wore a tinted visor tonight because it was a bit emotional," Fisher said. Fisher signed several autographs for children in the stands at the Predators morning skate as he walked to Nashville's locker room. He took so long that several Predators players walked past Fisher as he signed almost every jersey, stick and puck. During the"
'Big Rig' Chris Phillips flattens Predators in 1,000th game
February 10
Ottawa Citizen
 
"You can't make this stuff up. In his 1,000th career game, Ottawa Senators defenceman Chris Phillips discovered an offensive touch, scoring twice, helping end the team's seven-game losing streak in a 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators. It was a bizarre development for the defensive defenceman. Phillips came into the game without a goal in his previous 74 games, dating all the way back to last Feb. 26. "It was fun and exciting to be in my 1,000th game and to then top it off with a couple of goals and what ended up being the game winner, you can't write that stuff," Phillips said. "Everything turned out great tonight. A hard-fought game against a top team. We played the way we have to play."
MacLean sounds off on Sens
February 9
Ottawa Sun
 
"Paul MacLean couldn't take it anymore. Midway through a drill at practice Wednesday at Scotiabank Place, the Senators coach blew his whistle and summoned everybody to the boards for a talking to. He used lots of four-letter words to express his displeasure with the way the players were doing the drill, especially with the Senators in the throes of a seven-game losing streak. Then, MacLean repeated the drill. "Execution a lot of times is focus and concentration," said MacLean. "You practise like you play sometimes.""
Long Road to 1,000 for D-man Phillips
February 9
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Truth is, Chris Phillips nearly didn't play a single game for the Ottawa Senators, let alone one thousand. On draft day, June 22, 1996, Senators general manager Pierre Gauthier was up at 5 a.m. entertaining offers for his first overall draft pick. None was enticing enough, and Gauthier selected the Calgary-born Phillips, the consensus No. 1 pick out of WHL Lethbridge, a 6-2 (soon to be 6-3), 200-pound defenceman. "Big defencemen," Gauthier said. "Everybody looks for big defencemen. He's the total package. This kid is going to play for us for 10 to 12 years." How about 16? Phillips, who will be honoured for game No. 1,000 tonight at Scotiabank Place when his old pal Mike Fisher and the"
Fisher returns to his roots
February 9
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Mike Fisher stepped off the plane from Nashville, Tennessee, late Wednesday afternoon and into his old world. Back to see old friends. Renewing ties with his former teammates. And come tonight, he'll be on the ice at Scotiabank Place, playing in front of the fan base that embraced him as one of their favourites for more than a decade. "When the schedule came out, it was the first thing I looked at," said Fisher. "It's good to be back." Friday marks the one-year anniversary of when Senators general manager Bryan Murray began the trade show here, dealing Fisher to the Nashville Predators for a first round selection in last June's NHL entry draft."
Slumping Senators can't get out of the gate
February 9
Ottawa Citizen
 
"The losing streak is now at an unlucky seven games, but Ottawa Senators coach Paul MacLean doesn't have to look that far back to recall a similar situation. "I remember the first (six) games of this season, we all go through these things," MacLean said Wednesday afternoon, desperately hoping the club will find its way out of the ugly losing stretch Thursday against the Nashville Predators. "At the start of the game, somebody has to establish the game and we've not been able to establish our game enough.""
Spezza key for Sens
February 8
Ottawa Sun
 columnist Don Brennan
"It's no coincidence that both Jason Spezza and the Senators entered Tuesday in six-game slumps. As one goes, so goes the other. I know it, you know it, Spezza knows it. "I haven't scored, we haven't won, I know I have to produce for us to win," Spezza said a few hours before facing the Blues Tuesday. "I'm definitely putting pressure on myself to make sure I'm playing well this week.""
Futility continues for punchless Senators
February 8
Ottawa Citizen
 
"The Ottawa Senators fell deeper into uncharted territory on Tuesday night with their seventh consecutive loss, 3-1 to the St. Louis Blues. Since this skid started, the Senators have got just one point from a 2-1 overtime loss to the New York Islanders and are clinging to the No. 8 playoff spot in the National Hockey League's Eastern Conference, two points ahead of the Florida Panthers. Daniel Alfredsson got the only goal for the Senators (27-22-7), during a power play early in the second period. David Perron scored twice for the Blues (31-14-7), with Chris Porter getting one. Craig Anderson, making his 18th consecutive start for Ottawa, was pulled after allowing two goals on four shots in"
Doing the goalie shuffle
February 8
Ottawa Citizen
 
"To coincide with Tuesday's birthday of Charles Dickens, this is A Tale of Two Cities, or at least, two goaltending situations. At one end, there was Ottawa Senators workhorse Craig Anderson, who has played in more games (51) and faced more shots (1,500-plus) than any other goalie in the NHL this season. At the other end was Brian Elliott, the former Senator swapped for Anderson last February, now part of a St. Louis Blues tandem that shares the crease almost equally. Elliott has appeared in 24 games, Jaroslav Halak in 29. Mr. Solo versus the tag-team wrestlers, except that Anderson's hockey marathon came to an abrupt halt early in the first period, when the Blues put a couple of pucks past"
Senators have some goals in mind
February 7
Ottawa Sun
 
"The Senators spent Monday looking for answers to put an end to their six-game losing skid. After getting hammered 5-0 by the Maple Leafs Saturday night and taking Sunday off, the Senators went back to work with a 50-minute skate that was spent mostly going to the net and trying to score. That's been a big issue as the Senators prepare to face the Blues on Tuesday in Game 3 of their five-game homestand. If Ottawa is going to get back on track, it has got to start putting the puck in the net."
A plea for civility from Senators, Leafs fans
February 7
Ottawa Citizen
 columnist Wayne Scanlan
"Let's suppose a visitor is new to the city, if not new to the planet. His name is Frank and he's in town for the NHL all-star weekend, and then sticks around for several days, long enough to take in the Ottawa Senators-Toronto Maple Leafs game at Scotiabank Place on Saturday. At the all-star fest, Frank is bowled over by the adoration, bordering on deification, of Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson. The mere sight of Alfredsson's countenance on the new arena scoreboard, let alone the sight of him scoring two All-Star Game goals, results in standing ovations and cheers that threaten to blow the roof off the building."
Senators remain confident despite losing skid
February 7
Ottawa Citizen
 
"However the Ottawa Senators got themselves into this mess of a six-game losing streak, they've got to get themselves out of it before their season slips away. With 61 points through 55 games, they're still in a playoff position, but their hold on it is precarious. Heading into Monday's action, they are in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of Toronto and only three up on ninth-place Washington. Senators coach Paul MacLean doesn't think what ails his team is much of a mystery. His team simply isn't skating as well as it did when it was winning games."
Spezza urges calm as Sens lick their wounds
February 6
Ottawa Sun
 
"Jason Spezza has some advice for all those Senators' faithful poised to hit the panic button. "We've got to take a deep breath and just relax," said the club's alternate captain. Coming off a disgraceful 5-0 beating at the hands of the arch-rival Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday at Scotiabank Place that extended the Senators losing streak to six games, the players had Sunday off to lick their wounds. The Senators woke up sitting in the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference. They're still in the playoff picture, all is not lost and they've got three games left at home this week, starting with Tuesday's visit by the St. Louis Blues. "You've got to look at the whole picture," said Spezza Saturday."
Return of Elliott, Fisher adds spice to Scotiabank Place
February 6
Ottawa Sun
 
"It will be old home week at Scotiabank Place. First, Brian Elliott and the St. Louis Blues will visit Tuesday to face the struggling Senators. But the atmosphere that night will be nothing compared to the return of centre Mike Fisher with the Nashville Predators Thursday. Not only will the Senators faithful welcome the much-beloved Fisher back almost a year after he was dealt to the Predators on Feb. 12, 2011, there will be a celebration with defenceman Chris Phillips playing his 1,000th NHL game. Sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun."
Coach ponders: Auld or Anderson vs. Blues?
February 6
Ottawa Sun
 
"Craig Anderson could finally get a break from the Ottawa Senators net. Senators coach Paul MacLean told reporters he's not sure if the club's No. 1 goalie will make the start Tuesday night against Brian Elliott and the St. Louis Blues as this five-game homestand continues at Scotiabank Place. After Anderson has made 17 straight starts, MacLean said he hadn't decided whether backup Alex Auld will make the start. "We do that every game. We talk about it and discuss it. We'll do the same thing (Monday and Tuesday)," said MacLean after practice Monday."
Maple Leafs extend Senators' losing streak to six
February 5
Ottawa Citizen
 
"The Battle of Ontario turned decidedly blue on Saturday. Blue as in the colour of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Blue as in the mood of the Ottawa Senators. That's what an ugly 5-0 romp on home ice will do. The Senators losing streak is now at six games and they're holding on to a playoff spot only because they've played more games than their closest pursuers. The Maple Leafs are a single point behind the Senators, but have played three fewer games. As the Senators are sliding south, the Maple Leafs are suddenly on a roll, with a 4-0-1 record and a red-hot goaltender. James Reimer stopped 49 Senators shots in the victory, posting his second consecutive shutout. Phil Kessel was the offensive"
Senators down, but not yet out
February 5
Ottawa Citizen
 
"All is not lost for the Ottawa Senators. It only seems that way after Ottawa's sixth straight defeat came at the hands of the mortal enemy Toronto Maple Leafs, a true red-faced, 5-0 embarrassment. Wasn't it just last week the NHL was taking notice during the all-star break of the feel-good story that was the Senators? How quickly things change – and can change back again, if only this team could stop the bleeding. "We need to take a day, take a breath," said centre Jason Spezza, "and realize we're still in a good position." Perspective won't come easily today as playoff rivals continue to gang up and move up on a Senators club standing still, but the truth is the Senators remain in a"
Sens humiliated in Battle
February 5
Ottawa Sun
 
"The Senators staggered away from the Battle of Ontario humiliated, embarrassed and soundly beaten. All that was missing was a white towel to surrender. The losing skid hit six for the Senators Saturday at Scotiabank Place and it may be time to sound the alarm because this 5-0 defeat at the hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs was pretty bad in a lot of ways. "This is definitely the worst loss," said centre Jason Spezza in the empty Senators dressing room. "This is against a division rival, a team we're battling with. You hope this is the end of it and we can get back on track next week." While the parade route for James Reimer will be paved in Toronto, after the Leafs starter recording his"
Ideal scenario for young Sens
February 5
Ottawa Sun
 columnist Jason York
"With 27 games left in the regular season, the Senators have put themselves in an ideal position for the stretch run. Despite the team's five-game losing streak heading into Saturday's game against Toronto, Ottawa was still sitting in sixth place in the Eastern Conference — a far cry from the last-place predictions of many prognosticators. It's fair to say the Senators have overacheived so far in 2011-12. With just a couple of months until the playoffs, teams have pretty much forged their identities and contenders are looking to solidify their positions in the standings. Now we'll see what these Senators are truly made of. As they head down the stretch in a playoff spot, pressure will mount"
Sens clipped by Isles, lose 5th straight
February 4
Ottawa Citizen
 
"The only consolation for the Ottawa Senators — and it's small consolation, indeed — is that the Toronto Maple Leafs can't catch them in the standings when the Battle of Ontario resumes tonight at Scotiabank Place. Yet picking up a mere single point in Friday's 2-1 overtime loss to the New York Islanders left a hollow feeling. A three-point lead on the Maple Leafs isn't much of a lead at all, considering that Toronto has played three fewer games. The ultimate insult Friday came in the form of the game-winning goal scorer. Mark Eaton, a defensive defenceman playing in his 600th career game, was left alone to tap in a backhand past Senators goaltender Craig Anderson at the 2:35 mark of"
Isles sink struggling Sens in OT
February 4
Ottawa Sun
 
"The Senators couldn't stop the bleeding Friday night with the Battle of Ontario looming. Playing at Scotiabank Place for the first time since Jan. 12, the Senators saw their losing skid reach five games after defenceman Mark Eaton scored his first goal since Nov. 28, 2009, to give the New York Islanders a 2-1 overtime victory. The 18,252 went home in stunned silence as Eaton, left alone in front of the net, beat goalie Craig Anderson with a backhander at 2:35, in his 600th career game. It capped another disappointing effort for the Senators, who now find themselves in a precarious position to make the playoffs. They are sixth in the Eastern Conference, five points up on ninth-place"
Sens have zip to show
February 3
Ottawa Sun
 
"It should come as a surprise to learn that Milan Michalek has scored just once at Scotiabank Place since his birthday on Dec. 7 — and in the grand scheme of things, it counted for zero. The goal came during last Sunday's all-star game and was set up on a pretty platter by the Islanders' John Tavares, whose team will provide the opposition Friday as the Senators desperately attempt to end their losing streak at four. Michalek, Ottawa's top sniper with 23, is currently trying to find his way out of an eight-game slump that dates back to Jan. 12, when he had the second goal in a 3-0 win over the Rangers in New York. He'd likely have better luck if the team was still on the road, where"
Auld to keep warming bench
February 3
Ottawa Sun
 
"It was the closest Alex Auld has come to starting a Senators game in more than a month. Asked Thursday which of his goalies would work the crease against the Islanders, coach Paul MacLean actually hesitated before announcing that it would be Craig Anderson. Why the slight delay? "I was trying to decide if I wanted to sleep on it again," said MacLean."
Alfredsson to make decision ... soon
February 2
Ottawa Sun
 
"Is Daniel Alfredsson getting close to making a career decision? By the sounds of it on Wednesday, the answer is yes. In Tuesday's 4-3 loss to Boston, the 39-year-old Alfredsson looked like he was 29 again. He, centre Kyle Turris and left winger Nick Foligno formed the Senators' best line as they buzzed the Bruins zone throughout the game. A day later, after an up-tempo practice, Alfredsson admitted he was jacked from the love shown him by Senators fans during all-star weekend."
Sens taking a dive
February 2
Ottawa Sun
 
"Seems that in referee Dan O'Rourke's eyes, it's not just one guy anymore. The Senators have become a whole team of divers. But more importantly than the fact O'Rourke and partner Rob Martel didn't call a single minor against the Bruins — a team that, as of Wednesday, led the NHL with 15.8 penalty minutes-per-game average — is that the Senators are taking a dive in the Eastern Conference standings. Heading into Wednesday's action, the nine-point cushion they had in the race for a playoff spot had been reduced to five over the ninth-place Panthers. And Florida had five games in hand."
MacLean sends message
February 2
Ottawa Citizen
 
"There was lots of yelling – some of it unprintable in a family newspaper – and lots of skating as Senators coach Paul MacLean sent a message at practice Wednesday. Officiating complaints aside, MacLean says the Senators did themselves in Tuesday, letting the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins off the hook by blowing a 3-1 second period lead, en route to a 4-3 defeat. "We self-destructed," said MacLean. "We have a puck behind their net, with less than minute to go in the second period. We give up a goal. If we they go into the third period down 3-1, maybe it's a different game.""
Murray faces deadline decision
February 1
Ottawa Sun
 
"Twenty-seven shopping days to the NHL trade deadline. The next time the Senators face the Bruins at TD Garden, it will be a day after the Feb. 27 deadline. A lot will have happened by then. For the Senators, GM Bryan Murray will have decided if he's going to be a buyer. Much will depend on price tags. The shopping is about to get serious. There's a belief that Toronto GM Brian Burke could strike as early as this week. If that's the case, he may be forced to pay a higher price than most, but he badly wants a forward."
Senators collapse in Boston
February 1
Ottawa Citizen
 
"The Ottawa Senators were sailing along, playing well and sitting on a 3-1 lead, when all of a sudden their world turned upside down. The Boston Bruins scored three unanswered goals in just 7:44 from the end of the second to early in the third to take the lead and hang on for a 4-3 win. The worst goal was the fourth — a shot from the centre red line from Dennis Seidenberg that was going wide but which took a weird bounce and deflected in off Craig Anderson's stick. Zdeno Chara, Milan Lucic, and Brad Marchand also scored for Boston. Colin Greening, Kyle Turris, and Erik Karlsson scored for Ottawa. Tim Thomas faced 33 shots for the Bruins while Anderson faced 30."
Bruins catch a break
February 1
Boston Herald
 
"The Bruins proved again last night that, when they put their minds and bodies to a task, they can achieve just about anything. It's just that little matter of maintaining that confident determination for 60 minutes, which the B's have rarely done of late. After falling behind by two goals in their return from the All-Star break thanks to a so-so first period and shoddy play until the final minute of the second, the Bruins scored three goals in 7:54 to beat the surprise team of the NHL, the Ottawa Senators, 4-3, at the Garden. While the B's are still a long way from their dominant days of November and December, coach Claude Julien is more concerned with execution than effort in this lull."
Sens snap back to reality
January 31
Ottawa Sun
 
"A gentle nudge and whisper in the ear this is not. If the breeze created by Zdeno Chara's 108.8-mph slap shot doesn't snap the Senators back into the reality of a playoff race, there's always the immediate task of trying to end a three-game losing streak on the road against one of the biggest, best and most physical teams in the NHL. "I think playing Boston is probably a good way to start," Senators coach Paul MacLean said Monday, right after his team's first practice back from a six-day all-star break and right before it flew off for a game Tuesday against the Bruins. "You know that's not going to be real friendly. As a rule, the expectation is that it will be a physical game. I think"
Karlsson's a Norris contender
January 31
Ottawa Sun
 
"It was Erik Karlsson's time to shine. While captain Daniel Alfredsson was the star of the NHL all-star show, the Senators defenceman also received top billing as the hockey world found out how good this 21-year-old has the potential to be. If he wasn't already getting consideration for the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenceman, he certainly is now. He probably won't beat Zdeno Chara or Nicklas Lidstrom in voting, but at least Karlsson should be on the ballot. "(All-star weekend was) great for him," said teammate Jason Spezza. Actually, it couldn't be better."
Back to the real NHL games
January 30
Ottawa Sun
 columnist Chris Stevenson
"The days at the beach, as tweeted by Capitals defenceman Mike Green from the Cayman Islands, are over. The neon tans from Las Vegas will now start to fade. The NHL's feel-good weekend here — a resounding success which revolved around the emotional outpouring between Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson and Senators fans — now becomes a fond memory. Ahead is a 30-game sausage grinder that is the rest of the NHL season. "You need the break whether you're here or somewhere else doing something different. This is a part of the season the guys really look forward to, just to recharge the battery," said Maple Leafs winger Joffrey Lupul. "When you get back from this break, you're re-energized and you"
A salute to Alfredsson
January 30
Ottawa Sun
 
"The only thing missing from Daniel Alfredsson's magical Sunday at Scotiabank Place was a third goal. Twice, the Senators captain brought the crowd to its feet and had the 20,510 that jammed the building chanting "Alfie, Alfie, Alfie" after scoring goals in the NHL all-star game in what can only be described as an emotional afternoon. Team Alfredsson fell 12-9 to Team Chara, but the final score didn't matter. The fans got what they wanted to see, the Senators captain score twice and the chance to give him a proper salute. "From a selfish point of view, it's going to rank really high. It's just a whole ego weekend, pretty much,'' said a laughing Alfredsson. "But it's been great to share this"
Chara's stars beat hometown hero Alfredsson
January 30
Ottawa Sun
 
"On his big day, Daniel Alfredsson surrounded himself with Swedes. But it was a bunch of Slovak buddies, led by New York Rangers winger Marian Gaborik, who drove Team Chara to a 12-9 victory over Team Alfredsson in front of 20,510 in the 57th NHL all-star game Sunday at Scotiabank Place. While former Senators defenceman Zdeno Chara scored the third-period winner, it was Gaborik, voted the game MVP, who led his club to victory with a hat trick and four-point effort as Team Chara walked away with the bragging rights. "You could see the guys wanted to win," said Chara when asked if he gave his team any instructions with the score tied 6-6 going into the third period. "I didn't have to say a"
Greening fleet of foot, but edged in the end
January 29
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Colin Greening won the preliminary round courtesy of a video review. But he lost the final by a nose. The fastest skater on the Ottawa Senators for the last two years, Greening met his match on Saturday when New York Ranger left wing Carl Hagelin edged him in the final of the fastest-skater competition, 13.218 seconds to 13.303 seconds. Greening's consolation was that he won the preliminary round with what, on review, turned out to be the fastest time of the night. At first it looked as if Greening had lost, and Hagelin was in fact announced as the winner. But on review it was found that the scores had been incorrectly announced. Greening owned the fastest time, 12.963 to 12.993 seconds,"
Take a bow, Ottawa
January 29
Ottawa Sun
 
"Gary Bettman summed up all-star weekend in Ottawa with one word. "Spectacular," the NHL commissioner told the Sun Saturday. Speaking after the board of governors' meeting at the Chateau Laurier, Bettman said he's been pleased with the way the city has embraced the event that shifted into high gear with the skills competition Saturday night at Scotiabank Place. Hosting the event for the first time since the Senators returned to the NHL in 1992, all-star weekend will end just as quickly as it started with Sunday's game. Everybody then heads their separate ways to finish this season. Fortunately, they won't forget the experience in Ottawa. "Everything has been great. The city has been"
Teammates want Alfie back
January 28
Ottawa Sun
 
"Daniel Alfredsson knew this weekend would be special; he just didn't know how special it would turn out to be. The Senators captain has been to five NHL all star games, but when he does finally hang up the blades, the 39-year-old captain will look back on this event in Ottawa as one of his career highlights. While he's been looking forward to this since he was voted into the starting lineup by the fans and, as a captain, was allowed to pick one of the all-star teams during Thursday night's fantasy draft, he can't wait for the party to shift into high gear with Saturday's skills competition at Scotiabank Place. Alfredsson, who will likely have his four children with him on the bench for the"
Alfie lining up with Sedins?
January 28
Ottawa Sun
 
"John Tortorella is going to try something different Sunday afternoon at Scotiabank Place. He's going to keep his mouth shut and enjoy the show. The New York Rangers coach, who will be behind the bench with San Jose's Todd McLellan for Team Alfredsson, is going to take in the all-star game spectacle without worrying about what happens on the ice. "I want to watch just like you do," said Tortorella. "I want to enjoy it because there's going to be a lot of talent out there. I'll be a fan." If Tortorella is just a fan, he'll have one of the best vantage points in the house. Working with McLellan to prepare to face an opponent captained by Boston defenceman Zdeno Chara, there isn't going to be"
Alfredsson leaning towards returning next season
January 27
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Cancel that retirement party for Daniel Alfredsson. Or, at least put it on hold. The Ottawa Senators captain, guesting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on his radio show before Thursday's fantasy draft, said that he was leaning towards returning for the 2012-13 season. "The way this season is going, if I'm still healthy after this season, I'm hoping I can go one more," said Alfredsson. "This year has been so good. If we can make the playoffs, that would almost be a dream come true." Alfredsson has previously been reluctant to talk about his plans beyond the current season. While he has one year remaining on his contract – he's due to make $1 million, but his salary cap hit is $4.875"
Alfredsson plays favourites at all-star draft
January 27
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Come the weekend, it will be Ottawa and Sweden against the rest of the hockey world at Scotiabank Place. Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson, aided by assistant captain Henrik Lundqvist, the New York Rangers star goaltender, stuck close to the local and Swedish themes at Thursday's NHL All-Star fantasy draft at Gatineau's Lac Leamy Casino. Team Alfredsson, which will be together for Saturday's skills competition as well as Sunday's All-Star Game, will include fellow Senators Erik Karlsson, Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek. Alfredsson's squad will also include Philadelphia Flyers star Claude Giroux, who grew up in Orleans and starred for the Gatineau Olympiques, along with former"
Team Alfredsson stacks up with Sens
January 27
Ottawa Sun
 
"Daniel Alfredsson has built a home team for all-star weekend. Team Alfredsson is going to have an Ottawa flavour during Saturday's skills competition and Sunday's all-star game after the Senators captain delivered on a promise to choose teammates Erik Karlsson, Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek. Playing to the crowd at Casino du Lac-Leamy, Alfredsson used his No. 1 pick to take Karlsson and then grabbed Spezza second. Michalek was forced t sit in the lounge and sweat a bit until his name was called at No. 12. Karlsson told reporters he'd be "pissed" if he didn't go No. 1 and had a big smile as he was welcomed on stage by Alfredsson and his assistant Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers."
Alfie wants to play one more year
January 27
Ottawa Sun
 
"Daniel Alfredsson isn't ready to hang up his blades. The Senators captain told commissioner Gary Bettman on his radio show Thursday night that if he feels as healthy at the end of the season as he does right now, he'll be back to play out the final year of his contract. "The way this season is going, if I'm still healthy after this season, I'm hoping I can go one more," said Alfredsson. "This year has been so good. If we can make the playoffs, that would almost be a dream come true.""
Who will win? Breaking down All-Star teams
January 27
NHL.com
 
"The draft is over, the rosters set for the 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game. We now know who will be wearing the white jerseys for Team Alfredsson and the blue jerseys to represent Team Chara. Now it's time to take a look at the rosters and break them down by position. Look for our prediction at the end. FORWARDS Datsyuk and Malkin on the same team is a scary proposition for the opposition. They may be the two most skilled players in the NHL right now. As Chara said, you can put them on the same line and they can be unstoppable, or you can put them on separate lines and they'll still be dominant and "make the line." Team Alfredsson has a lot of talent, but it doesn't have two"
Melnyk's all-star dream comes true
January 26
Ottawa Sun
 
"The Senators taking part in all-star weekend can thank Eugene Melnyk for his support. It's no accident captain Daniel Alfredsson, centre Jason Spezza, winger Milan Michalek and defenceman Erik Karlsson were voted starters by the fans, but they also had a little bit of support from the owner. "I was one of them," Melnyk told the Sun from his Barbados home this week in a pre-all-star game interview. "I would have voted more, but my little girl wouldn't give me her iPad so I could use that to vote as well." Preparing to kick off the all-star weekend with Thursday's Molson Canadian Fantasy Draft at the Casino du Lac-Leamy, Melnyk is looking forward to what's going to be a memorable weekend for"
Disallowed goal leads to Sens loss
January 25
Ottawa Sun
 
"Another controversial call helped do in the Senators in on Tuesday. Trailing the Coyotes 3-2 with 8:34 left in regulation time, Nick Foligno burst around Phoenix defenceman Keith Yandle to seemingly set up Daniel Alfredsson for the tying goal. But referee Dan O'Halloran waved it off and gave Foligno a goaltender interference penalty, even though it looked like 'tender Mike Smith caused the collision by sticking out his arm as Foligno went through the top of his crease. "I thought he came out to make the pokecheck and I don't really know how else I'm supposed to avoid that kind of a play," said Foligno, who was getting pressure from behind by Yandle. "It is what it is. They make the call"
Senators enter all-star break on a losing note
January 25
Ottawa Citizen
 
"The Ottawa Senators head into the all-star break on a three-game losing streak after a 3-2 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday. No matter how much they wanted to avoid that, the Senators just didn't have any energy left a long five-game road trip. Tuesday's game was their sixth in nine days across three time zones. Daniel Alfredsson and Chris Neil scored for the Senators, while Gilbert Brule, Shane Doan, and Radim Vrbata scored for the Coyotes. The Senators had the potential tying goal, again from Alfredsson, disallowed with 8:34 left in the third when Nick Foligno was called for interfering with goalie Mike Smith. "I think it's just a hockey play and I'm 100 per cent sure it's a goal,""
Melnyk says Sens still in rebuild mode
January 24
Ottawa Sun
 
"Eugene Melnyk has plenty to be happy about. The Senators are flying high and the best of the best are in town this weekend for the NHL all-star festivities at Scotiabank Place. But even with his team's unexpected success, the owner cautions that the Senators may not go deal crazy at the trade deadline. "Nobody expected us to be where we are," said Melnyk in a telephone interview with the Sun on Monday, before the Senators faced the Los Angeles Kings. "We're 27-17-6, when people thought we'd be 17-27-6. We went through a rebuild and it was very, very, very tough."