5 Years Later: Where are the 2017 Conference Finalists Now?

As with any rebuild, the Ottawa Senators jettisoned many long tenured players out of town over the last few years. Replacing the fan favourites were teenagers and fresh faced 20 something year olds who will one day fill the void left in the heart of Sens supporters.

With the club’s 2017 surprise run to the Eastern Conference Finals now five years in the rear view mirror, it's time to check in with some familiar faces and see how they’re doing in 2022. And as you’ll eventually realize, only one of the twenty four different players who suited up for that ECF team during the playoffs remains with the club. Who says change doesn’t happen quickly in a government town?

Marc Methot

Following the team’s deep playoff run, the stay at home defenseman was left exposed in the NHL expansion draft. Vegas wound up selecting him, but before he could pack his bags, was then traded to Dallas in exchange for Dylan Ferguson and a 2020 2nd Round pick.

Over the course of 2 seasons in Big-D, Methot only managed to suit up for 45 total games as a variety of injuries threw a wrench into his on ice production. He’s now retired and has traded in his skates for a microphone as he regularly records episodes of the “Wally & Methot” podcast with former TSN reporter Brent Wallace, while moonlighting as a TSN on air contributor as well.

Kyle Turris

Turris was traded to Nashville during the 2017-18 season as part of the ill fated Matt Duchene deal. The BC native spent part of three seasons with the Predators before signing a 2yr $3.3M contract with the Oilers in 2020.

Unfortunately for Turris, he was never able to regain the form he had in Ottawa out west. In 2020-21 he posted 5pts (2G, 3A) with the Oilers, and this year had 4pts (1G, 3A) through 22 games. On Friday Turris cleared waivers, with his NHL future currently in doubt.

Only 32 years old, the former #3 overall pick in the 2007 Draft may be on the back 9 of his hockey playing career at the NHL level.

Erik Karlsson

One of the more painful days in Senators fandom when it initially occurred was when the franchise traded then captain Erik Karlsson to San Jose. Since his time in the nation’s capital he’s posted totals of 45, 40, and 22pts over the last 3 seasons. However he’s having a bounce back campaign with 26pts in 33 games this year in The Bay Area.

The Swedish blueliner is currently in the 3rd year of an 8 year $92M contract with the Sharks that will carry a cap hit of $11.5M annually through the 2026-27 campaign. The soon to be 32 year old experienced the best seasons of his career in Ottawa, where he set a career high for points with 82 (16G, 66A) during the 2015-16 season.

Mark Stone

If Karlsson was 1A in terms of painful trades for Sens fans, Stone would definitely be 1B. The star winger was dealt to Vegas at the 2019 deadline along with Tobias Lindberg in exchange for Erik Brannstrom, Oscar Lindberg and a 2020 2nd Round pick. Shortly thereafter he signed an 8yr $76M extension and was named the first captain in Golden Knights history.

Since the trade, Stone has racked up 161pts in 161 regular season games and 37pts in 46 postseason games with the Knights. Widely recognized as one of the best two way players in the game, Stone would represent Canada at the IIHF World Championships, bringing home silver after losing to Finland 3-1 in the final.

Chris Neil

Neil retired following the 2016-17 season as the franchise record holder with 2522 career penalty minutes. The former Sens tough guy has remained active in the Ottawa community since retiring with a number of philanthropic and business ventures on the go.

His most recent foray is the Icelynd Skating Trails located just outside Stittsville. The venue includes outdoor skating trails as well as a rink which Chris can be found flooding frequently himself.

Still Active

Mike Hoffman 2021-22 stats: 6G, 5A, 11pts with Montreal

Derrick Brassard 2021-22 stats: 4G, 7A, 11pts with Philadelphia

J.G. Pageau 2021-22 stats: 5G, 5A, 10pts with New York Islanders

Ryan Dzingel 2021-22 stats: 4G, 2A, 6pts with Arizona

Chris Wideman 2021-22 stats: 2G, 8A, 10pts with Montreal

Cody Ceci 2021-22 stats: 1G, 9A, 10pts with Edmonton

Fredrik Claesson 2021-22 stats: 0G, 0A with Tampa Bay

Ben Harpur 2021-22 stats: 0G, 1A, 1pt with Nashville

Mark Borowiecki 2021-22 stats: 0G, 2A with Nashville

Colin White 2021-22 stats: Unavailable (injured) with Ottawa

Playing Overseas

Viktor Stalberg is currently playing with Skelleftea AIK in Sweden. He has 0G, 0A in 6 games.

“Considering Their Options”

Bobby Ryan last played for Detroit in 2020-21. He recently tried out for the US Olympic Hockey Team but was not selected.

Tom Pyatt parted ways with the Sens following the 2018-19 season. He would play portions of the 2019-20 year in Sweden and Switzerland. The 34 year old has not however officially announced he is retired.

Retired

Zack Smith retired after 11 NHL seasons. His final was the 2019-20 season with Chicago.

Dion Phaneuf retired after 1048 NHL games. He last played for LA in 2018-19.

Chris Kelly retired after the 2017-18 season with Anaheim. He represented Canada at the 2018 Winter Olympics and is currently an assistant coach with the Boston Bruins.

Alex Burrows retired after the 2017-18 season with Ottawa and is currently an assistant coach with the Montreal Canadiens.

Clarke MacArthur unfortunately failed his physical at the beginning of the 2017-18 training camp and has yet to suit up for another professional game. Although he has yet to formally announce anything, Dorion called him “highly doubtful” to play in the NHL again.

Tommy Wingels retired in June of 2020 following 2 seasons in Switzerland.

By Kyle Skinner | Sens Nation Hockey