2017–18 Ottawa Senators season explained

League:	NHL
Season:	2017–18
Year:	2017
Team:	Ottawa Senators
Division:	Atlantic
Divisionrank:	7th
Conference:	Eastern
Conferencerank:	15th
Record:	28–43–11
Homerecord:	16–19–6
Roadrecord:	12–24–5
Goalsfor:	221
Goalsagainst:	291
Generalmanager:	Pierre Dorion
Coach:	Guy Boucher
Captain:	Erik Karlsson
Altcaptain:	Dion Phaneuf (Oct.–Feb.) Zack Smith (Feb.–Apr.) Mark Stone Kyle Turris (Oct.–Nov.)
Arena:	Canadian Tire Centre
Attendance:	15,829 (91.1%)^[1]
Minorleague:	Belleville Senators (AHL)
Goalsleader:	Matt Duchene Ryan Dzingel (23)
Assistsleader:	Erik Karlsson (53)
Pointsleader:	Erik Karlsson Mark Stone (62)
Plusminusleader:	Mark Stone (+9)
Pimleader:	Mark Borowiecki (64)
Winsleader:	Craig Anderson (23)
Gaaleader:	Mike Condon (3.25)

The 2017–18 Ottawa Senators season was the 26th season of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Senators failed to return to the Stanley Cup playoffs after advancing to game seven of the Eastern Conference Final in the 2017 playoffs.

Team business

The team moved their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate team, the Binghamton Senators, to Belleville, Ontario, becoming the Belleville Senators for the 2017–18 season. The AHL team plays in a refurbished Yardmen Arena, equipped with in upgrades.^[2]

The team completed some work on the Canadian Tire Centre in time for the season. The team reduced seating in the upper bowl while adding a stage and special event areas. Team president Tom Anselmi explained the changes in part as that the Centre had too many upper bowl seats and not enough lower bowl seating. The team and Senators fans had been criticized during the 2017 playoffs for not selling out every playoff game.^[3] The seating capacity was reduced to 17,000 (standing areas were retained).^[4] After the season, Eugene Melnyk stated that he thought the move was a mistake and the tarps over the seats in the upper bowl would be removed for next season.

In January 2018, the Senators reached an agreement with the National Capital Commission government agency in Ottawa to redevelop the downtown LeBreton Flats site.^[5] The site would be redeveloped for in a partnership with private developers known as the Rendezvous Group and would include new residential buildings, a public square and tourist attractions. As part of the redevelopment, the Senators would build a new ice hockey arena to replace the Canadian Tire Centre, an arena considered by many fans to be remote and having access problems. A new arena is not expected to open before 2022.^[6]

In February 2018, team president Anselmi resigned his position with the Senators, without explanation.^[7] The same day, the Senators extended the contract of general manager Pierre Dorion by three years, given the task by owner Melnyk to rebuild the team as necessary.^[8]

A group of fans, disappointed in the team in general and owner Melnyk in particular, organized the "#MelnykOut" campaign to prod Melnyk into selling the team or otherwise not be involved with the team. Billboards promoting the "#MelnykOut" campaign were crowd-funded and located around Ottawa.^[9] Melnyk and Dorion held "town-hall" meetings with season ticket subscribers after the season in an effort to win back the fan base. The club announced a reduction in parking rates, concession incentives and the removal of the tarps from seats in the arena. Melnyk told the fans that the team was not for sale. Former captain Daniel Alfredsson later told former Ottawa Sun columnist Susan Sherring that he and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson were in agreement that "it was time for a new owner."^[10] Asked about Alfredsson's comments, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman stated that the club was not for sale, that Melnyk was "committed to the Senators and is passionate about them."^[11]

In May 2018, the club announced the appointment of Nicolas Ruszkowski as its new chief operating officer. Ruszkowski has a background in public relations.^[12] Ruszkowski will be in charge of business operations and will not have a role in hockey operations.^[13]

In June 2018, Melnyk negotiated a refinancing of a long-term loan on the franchise. At the same time, Melnyk had to comment on rumours that he had received an offer for the franchise and turned it down, stating that the team was not for sale and no negotiations had occurred.^[14]

Off-season

On June 14, 2017, the Senators announced that long-time winger Chris Neil would not be re-signed and he became a free agent on July 1.^[15] Neil had played over 1,000 games for the Senators since being drafted by the team in 1998, accumulating 2,522 penalty minutes during this time, the 20th-most of any player in league history. Neil would not be signed by any other NHL team and he chose to retire. He was honoured by the Senators with a ceremony at the January 25, 2018, Senators' home game.

On July 1, 2017, former Senators team captain Daniel Alfredsson announced that he was stepping down in his role as senior advisor of hockey operations. He said that he wanted to take a complete break from the game to spend time with his family. Alfredsson held the role for two seasons.^[16]

The team had a significant turnover in personnel. Senators did not resign forwards Chris Kelly, Tommy Wingels or Viktor Stalberg, and lost Clarke MacArthur to long-term injury related to his ongoing issues with concussions. Defenceman Marc Methot was lost to the Vegas Golden Knights through the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. Kelly would later join the Senators' Belleville affiliate. The Senators signed free agents Johnny Oduya and Nate Thompson.

Pre-season

On June 16, 2017, the Senators announced their pre-season schedule. They played a six-game schedule starting September 18, including a home-and-home set against their provincial rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and a game against the New Jersey Devils in O'Leary, Prince Edward Island, as part of Kraft Hockeyville on September 25.^[17] The team also played two games against their closest geographical rival, the Montreal Canadiens, and one game against the Winnipeg Jets.

Regular season

The Senators' home opener was against the Washington Capitals on October 5. On November 10 and November 11, the Senators played two games against the Colorado Avalanche in Stockholm, Sweden. This marked the first time an NHL regular season game has been played outside of North America since 2011.

The Senators made a major trade on November 5, 2017. The team traded Kyle Turris, Andrew Hammond, Shane Bowers and draft picks to the Colorado Avalanche for Matt Duchene, who had requested a trade from the Avalanche.^[18] Turris was moved by the Avalanche to the Nashville Predators in a second phase of the deal. Turris had been in unsuccessful salary negotiations with the Senators and reportedly (probably not) turned down a contract offer from the Senators which was similar to one he accepted from the Predators.^[19] Hammond had been playing for the Senators' minor league Belleville team, and the Senators wanted to clear his contract. Hammond would remain with Belleville after the trade and was eventually elevated by the Avalanche. Bowers was the Senators' 2017 first round entry draft pick, playing in NCAA ice hockey.

To mark the NHL's centennial, the Senators hosted the "NHL 100 Classic" outdoor game on December 16 at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa. The game between Ottawa and the Montreal Canadiens comes nearly 100 years after the first game of the NHL's 1917–18 season, between the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens. The regular season game was also a Canada 150 event. The stadium's capacity was increased with temporary stands, which were also used for the 105th Grey Cup game to be held a few weeks earlier. The Senators had hoped to host the event on Parliament Hill, but the Government of Canada decided it was not feasible. An alumni game was held at an NHL-sized rink installed on Parliament Hill. In the 100 Classic, the Senators defeated the Canadiens 3–0. The game was preceded by controversial comments by owner Eugene Melnyk about the team's attendance, the move to Lebreton Flats and a possible move of the team.^[20]

The Senators began the season without captain Erik Karlsson, who had had off-season surgery, and he returned late in October, at less than 100%, but the team managed to have a winning record in October. After the trade for Duchene, the Senators played the games against the Avalanche in Sweden, winning both. The rest of November was unkind, as the Senators then lost seven in a row, one in overtime. December was also a losing month, as the Senators had five-game and four-game losing streaks and won only one game of eight on the road. January saw the Senators lose six in a row, the first time the team had lost six in a row in regulation since 1996.^[21]

As the trade deadline of February 26 approached, the Senators were still well outside of a playoff spot. After having his contract extended, general manager Dorion went to work to rebuild the roster. The Senators traded Chris DiDomenico to the Chicago Blackhawks and Dion Phaneuf and Nate Thompson to the Los Angeles Kings. Derick Brassard went to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a three-team swap with the Vegas Golden Knights. Defenceman Johnny Oduya went to the Philadelphia Flyers via waivers. The Senators notified other teams that they would consider offers for team captain Erik Karlsson, and also suggested a package including Bobby Ryan, but neither player was traded. GM Dorion later stated he would not trade Karlsson at the 2018 NHL Entry Draft and would offer him an eight-year extension on his contract on July 1, 2018, the first day the team is allowed to do so.

Playoffs

The Senators were eliminated from playoff contention on March 22, 2018.

Schedule and results

Pre-season

The pre-season schedule was announced on June 16, 2017.^[22]

2017 pre-season game log: 3–3–0 (Home: 2–1–0 ; Road: 1–2–0)
	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	OT	Decision	Attendance	Record	Recap
1	September 18	Toronto	2–6	Ottawa			14,931	1–0–0	^[23]
2	September 19	Ottawa	5–2	Toronto			18,847	2–0–0	^[24]
3	September 23	Montreal	1–5	Ottawa		Anderson	14,818	3–0–0	^[25]
4	September 25	New Jersey	8–1	Ottawa		Condon	–	3–1–0	^[26]
5	September 27	Ottawa	3–5	Winnipeg		Condon	15,294	3–2–0	^[27]
6	September 30	Ottawa	2–9	Montreal		Anderson	21,288	3–3–0	^[28]
Notes: Game was played at Consolidated Credit Union Place in Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

Regular season

The regular season schedule was released on June 22, 2017.^[29]

2017–18 game log (Record: 28–43–11; Home: 16–19–6 ; Road: 12–24–5)
October: 5–2–5 (Home: 2–2–4 ; Road: 3–0–1) Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 1 October 5 5–4 Ottawa SO 17,009 0–0–1 1 ^[30] 2 October 7 2–1 Ottawa SO Anderson 14,883 0–0–2 2 ^[31] 3 October 10 Ottawa 3–2 SO Anderson 17,273 1–0–2 4 ^[32] 4 October 13 Ottawa 6–0 Anderson 19,289 2–0–2 6 ^[33] 5 October 14 Ottawa 6–1 18,347 3–0–2 8 ^[34] 6 October 17 3–0 Ottawa Anderson 13,430 3–1–2 8 ^[35] 7 October 19 5–4 Ottawa OT Anderson 13,364 3–1–3 9 ^[36] 8 October 21 3–6 Ottawa Anderson 17,455 4–1–3 11 ^[37] 9 October 24 3–2 Ottawa SO Condon 14,034 4–1–4 12 ^[38] 10 October 26 4–5 Ottawa Anderson 14,926 5–1–4 14 ^[39] 11 October 27 Ottawa 4–5 SO Condon 13,763 5–1–5 15 ^[40] 12 October 30 8–3 Ottawa Anderson 15,069 5–2–5 15 ^[41] November: 3–7–1 (Home: 2–3–1 ; Road: 1–4–0) Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 13 November 2 1–3 Ottawa 14,724 6–2–5 17 ^[42] 14 November 4 5–4 Ottawa Anderson 16,824 6–3–5 17 ^[43] 15 November 10 Ottawa 4–3 Colorado OT Anderson 13,396 7–3–5 19 ^[44] 16 November 11 3–4 Ottawa* Anderson 13,396 8–3–5 21 ^[45] 17 November 16 3–1 Ottawa Anderson 17,144 8–4–5 21 ^[46] 18 November 18 3–2 Ottawa OT 16,471 8–4–6 22 ^[47] 19 November 19 Ottawa 0–3 Anderson 17,524 8–5–6 22 ^[48] 20 November 22 Ottawa 2–5 Anderson 18,506 8–6–6 22 ^[49] 21 November 24 Ottawa 2–5 Anderson 17,084 8–7–6 22 ^[50] 22 November 25 2–1 Ottawa Anderson 17,276 8–8–6 22 ^[51] 23 November 29 Ottawa 1–2 Condon 21,302 8–9–6 22 ^[52] December: 4–8–2 (Home: 3–2–0 ; Road: 1–6–2) Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 24 December 1 Ottawa 6–5 11,797 9–9–6 24 ^[53] 25 December 3 Ottawa 0–5 Condon 15,321 9–10–6 24 ^[54] 26 December 6 Ottawa 0–3 15,890 9–11–6 24 ^[55] 27 December 7 Ottawa 3–4 OT Condon 18,230 9–11–7 25 ^[56] 28 December 9 Ottawa 0–5 Anderson 17,562 9–12–7 25 ^[57] 29 December 12 Ottawa 2–3 Condon 17,454 9–13–7 25 ^[58] 30 December 13 2–3 Ottawa Anderson 13,212 10–13–7 27 ^[59] 31 December 16 0–3 Ottawa Anderson 33,959 (outdoors) 11–13–7 29 ^[60] 32 December 19 6–4 Ottawa Anderson 13,804 11–14–7 29 ^[61] 33 December 21 Ottawa 3–4 SO Anderson 19,092 11–14–8 30 ^[62] 34 December 23 Ottawa 0–1 Condon 13,694 11–15–8 30 ^[63] 35 December 27 Ottawa 1–5 Anderson 17,565 11–16–8 30 ^[64] 36 December 29 4–5 Ottawa Condon 17,031 12–16–8 32 ^[65] 37 December 30 5–0 Ottawa Condon 17,579 12–17–8 32 ^[66] January: 3–7–1 (Home: 2–4–0 ; Road: 1–3–1) Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 38 January 3 Ottawa 1–2 OT 19,515 12–17–9 33 ^[67] 39 January 5 5–6 Ottawa OT Anderson 16,061 13–17–9 35 ^[68] 40 January 6 3–6 Ottawa Anderson 16,247 14–17–9 37 ^[69] 41 January 9 8–2 Ottawa Anderson 14,007 14–18–9 37 ^[70] 42 January 10 Ottawa 4–3 Anderson 19,117 15–18–9 39 ^[71] 43 January 18 4–1 Ottawa Anderson 14,002 15–19–9 39 ^[72] 44 January 20 4–3 Ottawa Anderson 17,768 15–20–9 39 ^[73] 45 January 22 Ottawa 1–3 18,907 15–21–9 39 ^[74] 46 January 23 Ottawa 0–3 Anderson 18,505 15–22–9 39 ^[75] 47 January 25 3–2 Ottawa Condon 15,232 15–23–9 39 ^[76] 48 January 30 Ottawa 1–2 Anderson 11,448 15–24–9 39 ^[77] February: 6–7–1 (Home: 5–2–0 ; Road: 1–5–1) Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 49 February 1 1–2 Ottawa OT 13,759 16–24–9 41 ^[78] 50 February 3 Ottawa 4–3 SO 19,729 17–24–9 43 ^[79] 51 February 4 Ottawa 1–4 Condon 21,302 17–25–9 43 ^[80] 52 February 6 3–5 Ottawa Anderson 13,991 18–25–9 45 ^[81] 53 February 8 3–4 Ottawa OT Anderson 14,632 19–25–9 47 ^[82] 54 February 10 Ottawa 3–6 Condon 19,477 19–26–9 47 ^[83] 55 February 13 Ottawa 3–6 Condon 18,448 19–27–9 47 ^[84] 56 February 15 2–3 Ottawa OT Anderson 13,371 20–27–9 49 ^[85] 57 February 17 3–6 Ottawa Anderson 17,259 21–27–9 51 ^[86] 58 February 19 Ottawa 2–5 Anderson 17,177 21–28–9 51 ^[87] 59 February 21 Ottawa 2–3 SO Condon 21,532 21–28–10 52 ^[88] 60 February 22 4–3 Ottawa Anderson 16,204 21–29–10 52 ^[89] 61 February 24 5–3 Ottawa Anderson 16,128 21–30–10 52 ^[90] 62 February 27 Ottawa 2–3 Condon 18,506 21–31–10 52 ^[91] March: 6–9–1 (Home: 2–5–1 ; Road: 4–4–0) Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 63 March 2 Ottawa 5–4 18,269 22–31–10 54 ^[92] 64 March 3 Ottawa 1–2 10,955 22–32–10 54 ^[93] 65 March 5 Ottawa 3–2 OT Anderson 17,110 23–32–10 56 ^[94] 66 March 8 4–3 Ottawa SO Anderson 13,377 23–32–11 57 ^[95] 67 March 9 2–1 Ottawa Condon 14,498 23–33–11 57 ^[96] 68 March 12 Ottawa 5–3 Anderson 11,585 24–33–11 59 ^[97] 69 March 13 Ottawa 7–4 Condon 19,092 25–33–11 61 ^[98] 70 March 16 2–3 Ottawa OT Anderson 15,842 26–33–11 63 ^[99] 71 March 17 Ottawa 1–2 Condon 17,612 26–34–11 63 ^[100] 72 March 20 7–2 Ottawa Anderson 14,434 26–35–11 63 ^[101] 73 March 22 6–2 Ottawa Anderson 16,538 26–36–11 63 ^[102] 74 March 24 5–2 Ottawa Condon 16,555 26–37–11 63 ^[103] 75 March 26 Ottawa 1–4 Anderson 10,817 26–38–11 63 ^[104] 76 March 27 4–3 Ottawa Condon 15,284 26–39–11 63 ^[105] 77 March 29 2–3 Ottawa OT Anderson 15,095 27–39–11 65 ^[106] 78 March 31 Ottawa 0–2 Condon 19,515 27–40–11 65 ^[107] April: 1–3–0 (Home: 0–1–0 ; Road: 1–2–0) Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 79 April 2 6–5 Ottawa 17,122 27–41–11 65 ^[108] 80 April 4 Ottawa 4–2 Anderson 18,919 28–41–11 67 ^[109] 81 April 6 Ottawa 0–4 Anderson 18,633 28–42–11 67 ^[110] 82 April 7 Ottawa 2–5 17,565 28–43–11 67 ^[111]
Legend:

Players

Statistics

Final Stats^[112]

Skaters

Regular season^[113]

Player					data-sort-type="number"
	58	20	42	62	9	10
	71	9	53	62	−25	36
	82	22	34	56	−20	32
†	68	23	26	49	−23	14
	79	23	18	41	−17	35
‡	58	18	20	38	−1	30
	62	11	22	33	−12	14
	78	14	15	29	−14	36
	63	9	16	25	−12	14
	81	7	15	22	−12	10
	82	5	14	19	−27	12
	68	5	14	19	−32	54
‡	53	3	13	16	−8	34
	71	6	8	14	−8	59
‡	43	4	7	11	0	10
	52	3	8	11	−6	64
‡	24	6	4	10	−4	8
‡	11	3	6	9	−3	2
†	35	6	2	8	−8	4
‡	51	4	4	8	2	32
	16	3	5	8	5	6
†	16	4	3	7	−7	6
	64	1	6	7	−7	35
	21	2	4	6	1	8
	30	3	2	5	−5	37
	20	1	3	4	−5	4
	10	1	2	3	−4	0
‡	23	1	1	2	1	2
	11	1	0	1	−4	0
	1	1	0	1	−2	0
	41	0	1	1	−21	21
	10	0	1	1	−1	0
‡	6	0	1	1	1	0
	2	0	1	1	2	0
	4	0	1	1	0	0
	1	0	0	0	1	0
	4	0	0	0	−1	2
	1	0	0	0	0	0
	2	0	0	0	−1	0
	1	0	0	0	0	0
	2	0	0	0	0	0

Goaltenders

Regular season^[114]

Player
	58	55	3,250:32	23	25	6	180	3.32	1,768	.898	2	0	0	2
	31	26	1,625:55	5	17	5	88	3.25	898	.902	0	0	2	0
	1	1	58:29	0	1	0	4	4.10	34	.882	0	0	0	0

^†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Senators. Stats reflect time with the Senators only.
^‡No longer with team.
Bold denotes team leader in that category.

Awards

Regular Season

Player	Award	data-sort-type="date"	Awarded
	NHL Third Star of the Week^[115]	October 30, 2017

Milestones

Player	Milestone	Date
Logan Brown	1st career NHL game	October 5, 2017
Alex Formenton	1st career NHL game	October 7, 2017
Christian Jaros	1st career NHL game	October 10, 2017
Thomas Chabot	1st career NHL assist 1st career NHL point	October 13, 2017
Johnny Oduya	800th career NHL game	October 14, 2017
Alex Burrows	200th career NHL goal	October 19, 2017
Logan Brown	1st career NHL assist 1st career NHL point	October 21, 2017
Filip Chlapik	1st career NHL game 1st career NHL assist 1st career NHL point	October 26, 2017
Chris DiDomenico	1st career NHL assist 1st career NHL point	October 26, 2017
Jack Rodewald	1st career NHL game	October 27, 2017
Chris DiDomenico	1st career NHL goal	October 27, 2017
Mike Condon	100th career NHL game	October 30, 2017
Mark Stone	200th career NHL point	November 2, 2017
Alex Burrows	400th career NHL point	November 4, 2017
Cody Ceci	300th career NHL game	November 11, 2017
Mike Hoffman	100th career NHL assist	November 25, 2017
Thomas Chabot	1st career NHL goal	December 1, 2017
Matt Duchene	600th career NHL game	December 9, 2017
Derick Brassard	400th career NHL point	December 12, 2017
Mike Hoffman	200th career NHL point	January 5, 2018
Bobby Ryan	700th career NHL game	January 6, 2018
Zack Smith	500th career NHL game	January 6, 2018
Mike Hoffman	300th career NHL game	January 6, 2018
Alex Burrows	200th career NHL assist	January 10, 2018
Erik Karlsson	600th career NHL game	February 1, 2018
Colin White	1st career NHL assist 1st career NHL point	February 3, 2018
Colin White	1st career NHL goal	February 6, 2018
Jean-Gabriel Pageau	300th career NHL game	February 8, 2018
Mike Hoffman	100th career NHL goal	February 8, 2018
Derick Brassard	700th career NHL game	February 19, 2018
Mark Stone	300th career NHL game	February 22, 2018
Erik Karlsson	500th career NHL point	February 27, 2018
Magnus Paajarvi	100th career NHL point	March 8, 2018
Fredrik Claesson	100th career NHL game	March 12, 2018
Alex Burrows	900th career NHL game	March 13, 2018
Erik Burgdoerfer	1st career NHL assist 1st career NHL point	March 13, 2018
Christian Wolanin	1st career NHL game	March 22, 2018
Bobby Ryan	500th career NHL point	March 22, 2018
Filip Chlapik	1st career NHL goal	March 22, 2018
Tom Pyatt	400th career NHL game	March 24, 2018
Ben Sexton	1st career NHL game	March 26, 2018
Christian Wolanin	1st career NHL goal 1st career NHL point	April 2, 2018
Matt Duchene	200th career NHL goal	April 2, 2018

Transactions

Trades

Date	Details		Ref
	To Colorado Avalanche Kyle Turris Shane Bowers Andrew Hammond Conditional 1st-round pick in 2018 or 2019 3rd-round pick in 2019	To Ottawa Senators Matt Duchene
	To Los Angeles Kings Dion Phaneuf Nate Thompson	To Ottawa Senators Marian Gaborik Nick Shore	^[116]
	To Chicago Blackhawks Chris DiDomenico	To Ottawa Senators Ville Pokka	^[117]
	To Vegas Golden Knights Derick Brassard	To Ottawa Senators PIT 3rd-round pick in 2019	^[118]
	To Pittsburgh Penguins Vincent Dunn 3rd-round pick in 2018	To Ottawa Senators Ian Cole Filip Gustavsson 1st-round pick in 2018	^[119]
	To Columbus Blue Jackets Ian Cole	To Ottawa Senators Nick Moutrey 3rd-round pick in 2020	^[120]
	To Calgary Flames Nick Shore	To Ottawa Senators 7th-round pick in 2019	^[121]
	To San Jose Sharks Mike Hoffman Cody Donaghey 5th-round pick 2020	To Ottawa Senators Mikkel Boedker Julius Bergman 6th-round pick 2020	^[122]

Free agents acquired

Date	Player	Former team	Contract terms (in U.S. dollars)	Ref
July 1, 2017			2-year, $3.3 million	^[123]
July 1, 2017		Providence Bruins (AHL)	1-year, $700,000 two-way	^[124]
July 1, 2017		Albany Devils (AHL)	2-year, $1.45 million two-way
July 1, 2017		Kolner Haie (DEL)	1-year, $650,000 two-way
July 1, 2017		Rochester Americans (AHL)	2-year, $1.3 million two-way
July 1, 2017		Sibir Novosibirsk (KHL)	1-year, $850,000 two-way
July 24, 2017			1-year, $1 million	^[125]
September 19, 2017		Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)	3-year, $2.24 million entry-level contract	^[126]
October 24, 2017		Belleville Senators (AHL)	2-year, $1.415 million entry-level contract	^[127]
December 26, 2017		Barrie Colts (OHL)	3-year, $2.775 million entry-level contract	^[128]
February 25, 2018		Belleville Senators (AHL)	2-year contract, $1.3 million two-way	^[129]
March 28, 2018		Pennsylvania State University (Big Ten)	2-year, $1.85 million entry-level contract	^[130]

Free agents lost

Date	Player	New team	Contract terms (in U.S. dollars)	Ref
July 1, 2017			1-year, $750,000	^[131]
July 1, 2017			1-year, $650,000	^[132]
July 1, 2017			2-year, $1.3 million	^[133]
July 11, 2017		EV Zug (NLA)	2-year	^[134]
July 11, 2017	Ryan Rupert	Indy Fuel (ECHL)	1-year	^[135]
October 2, 2017		Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL)	1-year	^[136]
		Sibir Novosibirsk (KHL)	Unknown	^[137]
		Avangard Omsk (KHL)	1-year	^[138]

|}

Claimed via waivers

Player	Previous team	Date	Ref
			^[139]
	Tampa Bay Lightning		^[140]
			^[141]

Lost via waivers

Player	New team	Date	Ref
			^[142]
	Tampa Bay Lightning		^[143]
			^[144]

Player signings

Date	Player	Contract terms (in U.S. dollars)	Ref
June 26, 2017		2-year, $2.2 million	^[145]
June 27, 2017		2-year, $1.3 million	^[146]
June 28, 2017		3-year, $7.2 million	^[147]
July 5, 2017		1-year, $735,000 two-way	^[148]
July 11, 2017		1-year, $650,000 two-way	^[149]
July 17, 2017		3-year, $9.3 million	^[150]
July 21, 2017		2-year, $3.6 million	^[151]
September 29, 2017		2-year, $9.5 million contract extension	^[152]
October 2, 2017		3-year, $2.775 million entry-level contract	^[153]
October 3, 2017		3-year, $2.4 million entry-level contract	^[154]
October 5, 2017		2-year, $2.4 million contract extension	^[155]
February 9, 2018		2-year, $1.45 million contract extension	^[156]
March 21, 2018		2-year, $1.85 million entry-level contract	^[157]
May 22, 2018	Patrick Sieloff	2-year, $1.4 million two-way contract extension	^[158]
May 30, 2018		1-year, $900,000 contract extension	^[159]

Suspensions/fines

Suspensions/fines

Player	Reason	Length	Salary	Date issued
	Illegal check to the head of Boston Bruins forward Noel Acciari during NHL game no. 558 in Boston on December 27.	2 games	$6,989.24	December 28, 2017^[160]
	Illegal knee to the head of New Jersey Devils forward Taylor Hall during NHL game no. 816 in Ottawa on February 6, 2018.	10 games	$134,408.60	February 7, 2018^[161]

Draft picks

See also: List of Ottawa Senators draft picks. The Senators participated in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, which was held on June 23–24, 2017 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.^[162]

Round	Overall	Player	Position	Nationality	Club team
1	28	Shane Bowers	Centre		Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
2	47^1	Alex Formenton	Left Wing		London Knights (OHL)
4	121	Drake Batherson	Centre		Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)
6	183	Jordan Hollett	Goalie		Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

Draft notes:

1. The Calgary Flames' second-round pick went to the Ottawa Senators as the result of a trade on March 1, 2017 that sent Curtis Lazar and Mike Kostka to Calgary in exchange for Jyrki Jokipakka and this pick.^[163]

Notes

1.The Senators did not play in the 2004–05 season due to the lockout.

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2017-2018 NHL Attendance . ESPN.com . November 7, 2021.
2. News: Ottawa Citizen . 'Hockey matters here': Ottawa Senators score big by moving farm team to Belleville . Bruce . Garrioch . January 25, 2018 . January 31, 2018.
3. News: Ottawa Citizen . Senators still trying to sell out Game 6 against Penguins, and Jeremy Roenick notices . Bruce . Garrioch . May 23, 2017 .
4. News: The Ottawa Citizen . Senators reducing Canadian Tire Centre seating by 1,500 . Ken . Warren . April 13, 2018.
5. News: Ottawa Citizen . Garrioch: In tough year, Senators score big victory with LeBreton Flats deal . Bruce . Garrioch . January 26, 2018 . January 31, 2018.
6. News: Ottawa Citizen . Garrioch: Opening Night for a Sens downtown arena could happen in October 2022 . Bruce . Garrioch . January 25, 2018 . January 31, 2018.
7. Web site: Tom Anselmi vacates position as Senators president . Ian . McLaren . thescore.com . February 9, 2018 . February 23, 2018.
8. Web site: Senators announce 3-year contract extension for GM Dorion . Ian . McLaren . thescore.com . February 9, 2018 . February 23, 2018.
9. Web site: #MelnykOut . April 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180414010647/https://www.melnykout.ca/ . April 14, 2018 . dead .
10. News: CBC . Daniel Alfredsson thinks it's time for Melnyk to sell Senators: report . May 28, 2018.
11. Web site: sportsnet.ca . Rogers Sportsnet . Gary Bettman trumpets success of Vegas Golden Knights . May 28, 2018 . The Canadian Press.
12. Web site: Ottawa Senators Appoint Nicolas Ruszkowski as COO. Colin. Cudmore. May 31, 2018. Silver Seven.
13. Web site: Ottawa Senators announce appointment of Chief Operating Officer. NHL.com.
14. Web site: The Sporting News . Report: Eugene Melnyk declines offer to sell Senators . Jim . Cerny . June 28, 2018.
15. News: Ottawa Citizen . June 24, 2017 . Chris Neil and the Senators head their separate ways . Bruce . Garrioch .
16. News: Daniel Alfredsson is leaving the Ottawa Senators organization. The Ottawa Citizen. July 1, 2017. July 3, 2017.
17. Web site: nhl.com . NHL . Devils defeat Senators in Hockeyville game on Prince Edward Island . September 25, 2017.
18. Web site: Ottawa Senators acquire centre Matt Duchene from the Colorado Avalanche. November 5, 2017. November 5, 2017.
19. News: CBC News . Kyle Turris says Senators owner Melnyk paved his road out of Ottawa . Joshua . Clipperton . December 13, 2017 . January 31, 2018.
20. Web site: Ottawa owner talks moving Senators: 'If it becomes a disaster, yes' . December 15, 2017 . Luke . Fox . Sportsnet . April 9, 2018.
21. Web site: Senators Lose Sixth Straight in Regulation, Fall 2-1 to Hurricanes . silversevensens.com . January 31, 2018.
22. Web site: Senators announce six-game 2017-18 pre-season schedule. NHL.com. September 18, 2017. June 16, 2017.
23. Web site: Toronto Maple Leafs - Ottawa Senators - September 18th, 2017. NHL.com.
24. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Toronto Maple Leafs - September 19th, 2017. NHL.com.
25. Web site: Montréal Canadiens - Ottawa Senators - September 23rd, 2017. NHL.com.
26. Web site: New Jersey Devils - Ottawa Senators - September 25th, 2017. NHL.com.
27. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Winnipeg Jets - September 27th, 2017. NHL.com.
28. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Montréal Canadiens - September 30th, 2017. NHL.com.
29. Web site: Senators announce 2017-18 regular-season schedule. NHL.com. September 18, 2017. June 22, 2017.
30. Web site: Washington Capitals - Ottawa Senators - October 5th, 2017. NHL.com.
31. Web site: Detroit Red Wings - Ottawa Senators - October 7th, 2017. NHL.com.
32. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Vancouver Canucks - October 10th, 2017. NHL.com.
33. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Calgary Flames - October 13th, 2017. NHL.com.
34. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Edmonton Oilers - October 14th, 2017. NHL.com.
35. Web site: Vancouver Canucks - Ottawa Senators - October 17th, 2017. NHL.com.
36. Web site: New Jersey Devils - Ottawa Senators - October 19th, 2017. NHL.com.
37. Web site: Toronto Maple Leafs - Ottawa Senators - October 21st, 2017. NHL.com.
38. Web site: Los Angeles Kings - Ottawa Senators - October 24th, 2017. NHL.com.
39. Web site: Philadelphia Flyers - Ottawa Senators - October 26th, 2017. NHL.com.
40. Web site: Ottawa Senators - New Jersey Devils - October 27th, 2017. NHL.com.
41. Web site: Montréal Canadiens - Ottawa Senators - October 30th, 2017. NHL.com.
42. Web site: Detroit Red Wings - Ottawa Senators - November 2nd, 2017. NHL.com.
43. Web site: Vegas Golden Knights - Ottawa Senators - November 4th, 2017. NHL.com.
44. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Colorado Avalanche - November 10th, 2017. NHL.com.
45. Web site: Colorado Avalanche - Ottawa Senators - November 11th, 2017. NHL.com.
46. Web site: Pittsburgh Penguins - Ottawa Senators - November 16th, 2017. NHL.com.
47. Web site: Arizona Coyotes - Ottawa Senators - November 18th, 2017. NHL.com.
48. Web site: Ottawa Senators - New York Rangers - November 19th, 2017. NHL.com.
49. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Washington Capitals - November 22nd, 2017. NHL.com.
50. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Columbus Blue Jackets - November 24th, 2017. NHL.com.
51. Web site: New York Islanders - Ottawa Senators - November 25th, 2017. NHL.com.
52. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Montréal Canadiens - November 29th, 2017. NHL.com.
53. Web site: Ottawa Senators - New York Islanders - December 1st, 2017. NHL.com.
54. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Winnipeg Jets - December 3rd, 2017. NHL.com.
55. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Anaheim Ducks - December 6th, 2017. NHL.com.
56. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Los Angeles Kings - December 7th, 2017. NHL.com.
57. Web site: Ottawa Senators - San Jose Sharks - December 9th, 2017. NHL.com.
58. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Buffalo Sabres - December 12th, 2017. NHL.com.
59. Web site: New York Rangers - Ottawa Senators - December 13th, 2017. NHL.com.
60. Web site: Montréal Canadiens - Ottawa Senators - December 16th, 2017. NHL.com.
61. Web site: Minnesota Wild - Ottawa Senators - December 19th, 2017. NHL.com.
62. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Tampa Bay Lightning - December 21st, 2017. NHL.com.
63. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Florida Panthers - December 23rd, 2017. NHL.com.
64. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Boston Bruins - December 27th, 2017. NHL.com.
65. Web site: Columbus Blue Jackets - Ottawa Senators - December 29th, 2017. NHL.com.
66. Web site: Boston Bruins - Ottawa Senators - December 30th, 2017. NHL.com.
67. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Detroit Red Wings - January 3rd, 2018. NHL.com.
68. Web site: San Jose Sharks - Ottawa Senators - January 5th, 2018. NHL.com.
69. Web site: Tampa Bay Lightning - Ottawa Senators - January 6th, 2018. NHL.com.
70. Web site: Chicago Blackhawks - Ottawa Senators - January 9th, 2018. NHL.com.
71. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Toronto Maple Leafs - January 10th, 2018. NHL.com.
72. Web site: St. Louis Blues - Ottawa Senators - January 18th, 2018. NHL.com.
73. Web site: Toronto Maple Leafs - Ottawa Senators - January 20th, 2018. NHL.com.
74. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Minnesota Wild - January 22nd, 2018. NHL.com.
75. Web site: Ottawa Senators - St. Louis Blues - January 23rd, 2018. NHL.com.
76. Web site: Boston Bruins - Ottawa Senators - January 25th, 2018. NHL.com.
77. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Carolina Hurricanes - January 30th, 2018. NHL.com.
78. Web site: Anaheim Ducks - Ottawa Senators - February 1st, 2018. NHL.com.
79. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Philadelphia Flyers - February 3rd, 2018. NHL.com.
80. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Montréal Canadiens - February 4th, 2018. NHL.com.
81. Web site: New Jersey Devils - Ottawa Senators - February 6th, 2018. NHL.com.
82. Web site: Nashville Predators - Ottawa Senators - February 8th, 2018. NHL.com.
83. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Toronto Maple Leafs - February 10th, 2018. NHL.com.
84. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Pittsburgh Penguins - February 13th, 2018. NHL.com.
85. Web site: Buffalo Sabres - Ottawa Senators - February 15th, 2018. NHL.com.
86. Web site: New York Rangers - Ottawa Senators - February 17th, 2018. NHL.com.
87. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Nashville Predators - February 19th, 2018. NHL.com.
88. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Chicago Blackhawks - February 21st, 2018. NHL.com.
89. Web site: Tampa Bay Lightning - Ottawa Senators - February 22nd, 2018. NHL.com.
90. Web site: Philadelphia Flyers - Ottawa Senators - February 24th, 2018. NHL.com.
91. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Washington Capitals - February 27th, 2018. NHL.com.
92. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Vegas Golden Knights - March 2nd, 2018. NHL.com.
93. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Arizona Coyotes - March 3rd, 2018. NHL.com.
94. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Dallas Stars - March 5th, 2018. NHL.com.
95. Web site: Buffalo Sabres - Ottawa Senators - March 8th, 2018. NHL.com.
96. Web site: Calgary Flames - Ottawa Senators - March 9th, 2018. NHL.com.
97. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Florida Panthers - March 12th, 2018. NHL.com.
98. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Tampa Bay Lightning - March 13th, 2018. NHL.com.
99. Web site: Dallas Stars - Ottawa Senators - March 16th, 2018. NHL.com.
100. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Columbus Blue Jackets - March 17th, 2018. NHL.com.
101. Web site: Florida Panthers - Ottawa Senators - March 20th, 2018. NHL.com.
102. Web site: Edmonton Oilers - Ottawa Senators - March 22nd, 2018. NHL.com.
103. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Ottawa Senators - March 24th, 2018. NHL.com.
104. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Carolina Hurricanes - March 26th, 2018. NHL.com.
105. Web site: New York Islanders - Ottawa Senators - March 27th, 2018. NHL.com.
106. Web site: Florida Panthers - Ottawa Senators - March 29th, 2018. NHL.com.
107. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Detroit Red Wings - March 31st, 2018. NHL.com.
108. Web site: Winnipeg Jets - Ottawa Senators - April 2nd, 2018. NHL.com.
109. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Buffalo Sabres - April 4th, 2018. NHL.com.
110. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Pittsburgh Penguins - April 6th, 2018. NHL.com.
111. Web site: Ottawa Senators - Boston Bruins - April 7th, 2018. NHL.com.
112. Web site: Ottawa Senators Stats - 2017-2018. NHL.com. April 7, 2018.
113. Web site: 2017–18 Regular season – Ottawa Senators Stats – Skaters . NHL.com . January 15, 2020.
114. Web site: 2017–18 Regular season – Ottawa Senators Stats – Goalies . NHL.com . January 15, 2020.
115. Tavares leads 3 Stars of the Week . NHL. October 30, 2017.
116. Web site: LA Kings Acquire Phaneuf, Thompson; Trade Gaborik, Shore to Senators. NHL.com. February 14, 2018. February 13, 2018.
117. Web site: Senators acquire defenceman Ville Pokka from Chicago for Chris DiDomenico. NHL.com. February 15, 2018. February 15, 2018.
118. Web site: Brassard Traded to Penguins in Deal with Senators, Golden Knights . nhl.com . February 23, 2018.
119. Web site: Trade recap: Sens acquire Filip Gustavsson, Ian Cole and draft picks . NHL.com. February 23, 2018. February 23, 2018.
120. Web site: Senators trade Ian Cole to Columbus for a 3rd-round pick and Nick Moutrey . NHL.com. February 26, 2018. February 26, 2018.
121. Web site: FLAMES ACQUIRE NICK SHORE. NHL.com. February 26, 2018. February 26, 2018.
122. Senators acquire Boedker, Bergman and a 6th-round pick from San Jose . Ottawa Senators Communications . June 19, 2018.
123. News: Sportsnet . Ottawa Senators ink forward Nate Thompson . July 1, 2017 . July 1, 2017.
124. News: Ottawa Citizen . Ottawa Senators sign free agent Nate Thompson . July 1, 2017 . July 1, 2017.
125. Senators sign defenceman Johnny Oduya to a one-year contract . Ottawa Senators . Ottawa Senators . July 24, 2017 . July 24, 2017.
126. Senators sign forward Parker Kelly to entry-level contract . Ottawa Senators . Ottawa Senators . September 19, 2017 . September 19, 2017.
127. Senators sign forward Jack Rodewald to a two-year entry-level contract . Ottawa Senators . Ottawa Senators . October 24, 2017 . October 24, 2017.
128. Senators agree to terms with Aaron Luchuk on an entry-level contract . Ottawa Senators . Ottawa Senators . December 26, 2017 . December 27, 2017.
129. Alex Burrows and Johnny Oduya placed on waivers . Bruce Garrioch . Ottawa Citizen . February 25, 2018 . February 25, 2018.
130. Senators sign forward Andrew Sturtz to a two-year entry-level contract . Ottawa Senators Communications Dept. . Ottawa Senators . March 28, 2018 . March 28, 2018.
131. Web site: Chicago signs Tommy Wingels to one year deal. NHL. July 1, 2017. July 1, 2017.
132. Predators Add O'Connor With One-Year Contract. NHL Enterprises, L.P.. July 1, 2017. Nashville, Tennessee. July 1, 2017.
133. Web site: Flyers sign Vecchione, Knight, and Varone . Philadelphia Flyers . July 1, 2017 . July 1, 2017.
134. Web site: Ex-Senator Viktor Stalberg leaves NHL, signs with Swiss team . Sportsnet . July 11, 2017 . July 11, 2017.
135. Web site: Rupert twins reunited in Indy . Sportsnet . July 11, 2017 . July 11, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170828225741/https://www.indyfuelhockey.com/rupert-twins-reunited-in-indy . August 28, 2017 . dead .
136. Web site: Sound Tigers Add Scoring Punch with Casey Bailey . Bridgeport Sound Tigers . October 2, 2017 . October 3, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171003224730/http://www.soundtigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=22700&ATCLID=211670489 . October 3, 2017 . dead .
137. Web site: Metsola to Ufa and other Mayday transfers. KHL. May 1, 2018. June 11, 2019.
138. Web site: Защитник сборной Финляндии Вилле Покка перейдет в "Авангард"s. Avangard Omsk. May 8, 2018. June 11, 2019. ru.
139. Web site: Sens claim Dumont. NHL.com. November 22, 2017. November 22, 2017.
140. Web site: Medaglia. Craig. Game Day 5: Sens @ Jets. NHL.com. December 3, 2017. December 1, 2017.
141. Web site: Pinkert. Chris. Paajarvi claimed off waivers by Senators. NHL.com. January 28, 2018. January 26, 2018.
142. Web site: Lightning claim forward Chris DiDomenico from Ottawa. NHL.com. November 24, 2017. November 24, 2017.
143. Web site: Lightning claim forward Gabriel Dumont off waivers from Ottawa. NHL.com. February 21, 2018. February 21, 2018.
144. Web site: OTF: Flyers claim D Johnny Oduya from Ottawa. NHL.com. February 26, 2018. February 26, 2018.
145. Senators sign forward Tom Pyatt to a two-year contract extension. Ottawa Senators . June 26, 2017. June 26, 2017.
146. Senators sign Max McCormick to a two-year contract extension. Ottawa Senators . June 27, 2017. June 27, 2017.
147. Ottawa Citizen . Ottawa Senators lock up Mike Condon with new three-year, $7.2 million deal . June 28, 2017 . June 28, 2017.
148. Ottawa Senators . Senators sign goaltender Chris Driedger to a one-year, two-way contract . July 5, 2017 . July 5, 2017.
149. Ottawa Senators . Senators sign defenceman Patrick Sieloff to a one-year, two-way contract . July 11, 2017 . July 11, 2017.
150. Ottawa Senators . Senators agree to terms with Jean-Gabriel Pageau on a three-year contract . July 17, 2017 . July 17, 2017.
151. Ottawa Senators . Senators agree to terms with Ryan Dzingel on a two-year contract . July 21, 2017 . July 21, 2017.
152. Ottawa Senators . Senators sign goaltender Craig Anderson to a two-year contract extension . September 29, 2017 . September 29, 2017.
153. Ottawa Senators . Senators sign forward Alex Formenton to entry-level contract . October 2, 2017 . October 3, 2017.
154. Ottawa Senators . Senators sign forward Drake Batherson to entry-level contract . October 3, 2017 . October 3, 2017.
155. Ottawa Senators . Senators sign defenceman Mark Borowiecki to a two-year contract extension . October 5, 2017 . October 5, 2017.
156. Web site: Senators sign defenceman Ben Harpur to a two-year contract extension. NHL.com. February 10, 2018. February 9, 2018.
157. Ottawa Senators . Senators sign Christian Wolanin to a two-year entry level contract . March 21, 2018 . March 21, 2018.
158. Ottawa Senators . Senators sign Patrick Sieloff to a two-year, two-way contract extension . May 22, 2018 . May 23, 2018.
159. Web site: Senators sign forward Magnus Paajarvi to a one-year contract extension . NHL.com . May 31, 2018 . May 30, 2018.
160. Web site: Claesson suspended two games for actions in Senators game vs. Bruins. December 28, 2017. December 29, 2017.
161. Web site: Senators Alexandre Burrows suspended 10 games. February 7, 2018. February 8, 2018.
162. Web site: Blackhawks to host 2017 NHL Draft. NHL.com. February 11, 2016. February 11, 2016.
163. Web site: Senators trade Lazar to Flames for Jokipakka. March 1, 2017. March 1, 2017.