Brief History of the Senators
2004–present: Bryan Murray era
After the playoff loss, owner Melnyk promised that changes were coming and they came quickly. In June 2004, Anaheim Ducks GM Bryan Murray of nearby Shawville, became head coach. That summer, the team also made substantial personnel changes, trading long-time players Patrick Lalime and Radek Bonk,and signing free agent goaltender Dominik Hasek. The team would not be able to show its new lineup for a year, as the 2004-2005 lockout intervened and most players playing in Europe or in the minors. In a final change, just before the 2005-06 season, the team traded long-time player Marian Hossa for Dany Heatley.
The media predicted the Senators to be Stanley Cup contenders in 2005-06, as they had a strong core of players returning, played in an up-tempo style fitting the new rule changes and Hasek was expected to provide top-notch goaltending. The team rushed out of the gate, winning 19 of the first 22 games, in the end winning 52 games and 113 points, placing first in the conference, and second overall. The newly-formed 'CASH' line of Alfredsson, Spezza and newly-acquired Dany Heatley established itself as one of the league's top offensive line. Hasek played well until he was injured during the 2006 Winter Olympics, forcing the team to enter the playoffs with rookie netminder Ray Emery as their starter. Without Hasek, the club bowed out in a second round loss to the Buffalo Sabres.
2006–07: Trip to the Stanley Cup Finals
- First Stanley Cup finals in the capital in 80 years
A large Ottawa Senators flag was draped on the City Hall, along with a large video screen showing the games. A six-story likeness of Daniel Alfredsson was hung on the Corel building.
Rallies were held outside of City Hall, car rallies of decorated cars paraded through town and a section of downtown, dubbed the 'Sens Mile', was closed off to traffic during and after games for fans to congregate.
In the final, the Senators now faced the Anaheim Ducks, considered the favourite since the start of the season, a team the Senators had last played in 2006, and a team known for its strong defense. The Ducks won the first two games in Anaheim 2–1 and 1–0. Returning home, the Senators won game three 5–3, but lost game four 3–2. The Ducks won game five 6–2 in Anaheim to clinch the series. The Ducks had played outstanding defense, shutting down the 'CASH' line, forcing Murray to split up the line. The Ducks scored timely goals and Ducks' goaltender Giguere out-played Emery.
Ottawa Senators Line-Ups
Dany Heatley - Jason Spezza - Daniel Alfredsson
Cory Stillman - Mike Fisher - Martin Lapointe
Nick Foligno - Antoine Vermette - Chris Neil
Dean McAmmond - Chris Kelly - Shean Donovan
Defence
Andrej Meszaros - Mike Commodore
Wade Redden - Chris Phillips
Christoph Schubert - Anton Volchenkov
Goalies
Ray Emery - Martin Gerber
Captains
Daniel Alfredsson will be the Captain for his 7th year of captainship.
Wade Redden will play yet another season as one of the Senators Assistant Captains.
Jason Spezza will play his first season as one of the team's captains, Mike Fisher and Dany Heatley are also players who might share the letter.
Dany Heatley - Jason Spezza - Daniel Alfredsson
Cory Stillman - Mike Fisher - Martin Lapointe
Nick Foligno - Antoine Vermette - Chris Neil
Dean McAmmond - Chris Kelly - Shean Donovan
Defence
Andrej Meszaros - Mike Commodore
Wade Redden - Chris Phillips
Christoph Schubert - Anton Volchenkov
Goalies
Ray Emery - Martin Gerber
Captains
Daniel Alfredsson will be the Captain for his 7th year of captainship.
Wade Redden will play yet another season as one of the Senators Assistant Captains.
Jason Spezza will play his first season as one of the team's captains, Mike Fisher and Dany Heatley are also players who might share the letter.
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