4's The Magic Number: 2014-15 NHL Season

Brutal Comedown

Senators Old Trio Is Finally Destroyed

The final member of the Ottawa's vaunted top 3 of the early-to-late 2000's is finally wearing a colour other than red. One of the saddest sights to most Ottawa fans is that of centre and former captain Jason Spezza wearing Dallas Stars' green. Spezza is not just a former captain to the Canadian capital's faithful, he is an icon of their second millennium history and a main reason for the Senators' past success.
Ottawa GM Bryan Murray revealed that Spezza had requested a trade from the new-look Senators, and the captain's request was granted on August 1st when he was dealt to Dallas for Alex Chiasson, two prospects and a 2nd round draft pick. Spezza notched a career high point total of 92 in 2007-08, earning him the NHL 2k cover for that coming year. He scored 66 points in 2013.

If Spezza is the former captain, Daniel Alfredsson is simply "The Captain." Selected with the 133rd pick in the 1994 draft, "Alfie" played his entire career with the Senators—over 18 years—and wore the 'C' for 15 years. Alfredsson holds the Senators' career records for goals, assists, points, and games played (regular season AND playoffs)... but Ottawa's favourite Swede switched shades of red in the 2013 offseason due to a contract impasse in Ottawa. Alfredsson scored 49 points for the Detroit Red Wings in the 2013-14 campaign.

Danny Heatley, the second overall pick in 2000 (the year before Spezza was selected the same place) was only with Ottawa for 5 years but he made history in that time. He scored the second-ever shootout goal (after Alfie) and scored over 100 points in each of his first two seasons in Ottawa. However, the much-malinged Heatley asked to be traded in 2009 after scoring only 72 points, his lowest total with the team. Heatley was traded to the Sharks for Milan Michalek and Johnathan Cheechoo. He has since faded, playing two years in San Jose and 3 terrible years in Minnesota before signing a one year deal with Anaheim this offseason.

The trio led the Senators to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2007, Ottawa's first Cup appearance in 80 years. However, the recently-retired Jean-Sebastien Giguere backstopped the Ducks to a 4-1 series win. The CASH Line (Captain Alfredsson Spezza Heatley) did their jobs to give Ottawa its chance for glory, but couldn't finish it. Now it's their turn individually to drink from Lord Stanley's chalice.

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