BREAKING: The Senators have signed Shane Prince to a 1 year, 2 way contract. Prince played a pair of games with the Senators this season and looked to be a guy who can come in and provide some energy, and has proven that he can chip in offensively at other levels as well. He is a good depth player who has had NHL speed and skating ability since he was a 17 year old with the 67s. He is one of a few players who will get a real look at securing a roster spot out of camp.
---
So after a couple of days of discussion on Mike Hoffman's arbitration case, beating that horse has run its course until some movement happens on the topic. Time to turn to something a little lighter for today...
Last night Major League Baseball, as part of their trotting out of what seems like every player who ever played the game, announced a "Franchise Four" for every team in the league. (As a side note it was nice to see all of the Washington Nationals' franchise four were actually Montreal Expos).
This exercise has been done before, under the "Mt Rushmore" Experiment, in bars and basements for years, but it got me thinking of the Senators and who would be their "Franchise Four", or who would be on the Mt. Rushmore of the Sens.
Personally, I think 3 of them are no-brainers. Three captains or former captains who were all the face of the franchise at 1 point or another. Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza and Erik Karlsson are locks in my mind.
But the 4th? Not so easy a decision.
Dany Heatley? The only 50 goal scorer in franchise history, but the way he begged out of town left a bad taste in the mouths of the team and the fan base.
Marian Hossa? Probably the top power forward the team has drafted, and it would be interesting to see where the franchise would be if Muckler hadn't pulled the sign and trade for Heatley. Hossa has gone on to play in 5 finals, and capture 3 Cups.
Zdeno Chara? His presence was felt in Ottawa for a time (less than 300 GP) and was a season ending All-Star, but (revisionist history aside) he spurned the Senators attempt to resign him and he went on to make his greatest impact after chasing the money to Boston.
Wade Redden? People tend to forget how good he was up until the 2007 finals and prefer to remember how quickly his performance fell off, and how his career ended.
Chris Phillips? A career Senator who gave it his all to the franchise. Perhaps because he was the first pick in a very mediocre draft, I think there was always a case of wanting a little bit more from the Big Rig.
Alexei Yashin? The first star the Senators had, and is one of just 3 players to score over 200 goals with the club. There is also the way he left town....
I would probably lean towards Hossa myself, but who would you name as your 4th? Or would you replace one or more of my "no brainers" with someone else?