The 2020 NHL Return to Play has entered phase 4, the Playoff qualifiers. With a lot of the focus going towards predictions or COVID-19 test results, I will look at something a little different. Obviously, I mainly cover the Ottawa Senators for this site, as they are my favorite team, so I will take a look at former Senators that are in these playoffs.
Mark Stone
Stone was seen by many Sens fans as the next captain after Erik Karlsson was traded away a few years ago. However, the elite forward was traded away as part of the rebuild. Stone has been amazing in his time with the Golden Knights so far. As of the time of writing this article, Stone has scored one goal and one assist for two points in one game this postseason. Stone brings a lot more than just points to his team, as he brings leadership and star status to the Golden Knights. As the Golden Knights have multiple amazing players, I strongly believe Stone is their only star caliber player.
Mika Zibanejad
Zibanejad was involved in the Derick Brassard trade a few years back. That trade aged badly for the Senators. However, that is a topic for a different article. Zibanejad has arguably become New York’s franchise player in the last few years as he seems to get better each and every year. This year, he popped off with 41 goals and 34 assists for 75 points with the New York Rangers, and his brilliant play has transitioned to the playoffs having scored one goal and one assist for two points in his first postseason game this year.
Robin Lehner
The Swedish goaltender has moved around the league for the last few years. Starting his career in the nation’s capital, to a forgettable stint with the Buffalo Sabres. Lehner has re-invented his game with the New York Islanders after dealing with addiction struggles. The net-minder is now with the Golden Knights alongside Mark Stone, who I had mentioned above. Lehner seems to have taken the starting goalie position away from Marc-Andre Fleury. Lehner posted a .889 s% and a 3.02 GAA last game. While those numbers are not great, he helped Vegas win the game.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau
The 27 year old center has had a career year this year, scoring 26 goals and 16 assists for 42 points this year. Ottawa traded him away while his trade value was at its peak. As much as I love Pageau, I cannot fault Pierre Dorion for trading him away. Pageau has slotted in the third line center role for the Islanders and has done filled the role marvelously. He has scored 1 goal so far the Islanders this postseason.
Matt Duchene
Duchene did not play for the Senators a long time, however, he was one of our best players at the time leading up to his trade. He was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets and then made his way to the Nashville Predators. Duchene had a forgettable first game this postseason but has already shown to be playing better his second game. I am writing this as the Nashville Predators play their second game this postseason.
Kyle Turris
Ironically enough, Turris was involved in the original Duchene trade. Now they are teammates. Turris has declined the last couple of years in terms of point totals. Despite this, he is still an important part of the Predators lineup. He is currently in a bottom-six role, but he brings veteran leadership to a team that is desperately looking for post-season success.
Ben Bishop
Yes, Bishop played for the Ottawa Senators. Despite his tenure with the Sens being short, I still include him on this list. The 33-year-old goaltender has been one of the best net-minders in the NHL ever since his time with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Bishop and the Dallas Stars lost their first game this postseason. But he has been one of Dallas’ best players night in and night out ever since joining the team.
Derick Brassard
Brassard was what the Senators got back for Zibanejad, who I mentioned above. He was good as a senator. Really good in fact. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for what turned out to be Ottawa’s two top goaltender prospects. He has since jumped around the league, now playing with Pageau with the New York Islanders. Brassard I believe is playing a bottom-six role with the Isles. He has one point these playoffs so far.
Dylan DeMelo
DeMelo was part of the Karlsson trade. With the Ottawa Senators, DeMelo played mostly on the first pairing with Thomas Chabot. DeMelo played really well with the Senators and I was really upset when the Sens moved on from him. DeMelo has played mostly on the first pair for the Winnipeg Jets as he has averaged over 20 minutes of time on ice for the team.
Tyler Ennis
Ennis was a free agent signing for the Senators and served as a depth scorer. scoring 14 goals for the Senators, he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers and has been playing up and down the lineup for the team. even seeing some ice with Connor McDavid.
In conclusion
The Ottawa Senators have helped a lot of teams in the last couple of years. I like how some sens alumni have been reunited in other teams, like Stone and Lehner, or Pageau and Brassard.
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