Hossa and Chara became great for other teams. Anderson was just an average goalie. Neil should be in the ring on honour because he played his whole career for the Sens.I'd say Neil, Karlsson and Anderson. MAYBE Hossa and Chara could be considered as well.
Spezza was here 3 seasons longer than Karlsson and got us to the finals. Spezza's peak was better than Karlssons.After looking over the post responses, and giving some thought, here is my response:
EK should have his jersey retired. Unlike the rest of the Sens, EK was, roughly 2011-2018, a top 10 player in the NHL, and even peaking as the 3rd best after Crosby and McDavid in 2017. Karlsson was a true superstar, with major hardware to boot with 2 Norris trophies. Karlsson was a polarizing player, many people have different opinions about him, but he was the best player to ever where the Sens jersey (Hasek doesn't count). He sacrificed his ankle for the 2017 cup run, and while we didn't win, it was a hell of a run.
Anderson should probably have his jersey retired, but I'm less confident than with ek. He holds almost every goalie record in franchise history. I wouldn't have any issue if Andy's number is retired. I do think his number is more likely to be retired than not.
Spezza won't imo. Best center in franchise history bar none, but left too early. Unlike ek, his peak wasn't high to warrant a jersey retirement.
Neil is a tough one. He, like Phillips, was elite at their specific role. Phillips being a defensive minded, shutdown dman, and Neil being a enforcer/fighter. I think the most impressive thing about Neil is that he never once got suspended. that's incredible. I feel Neil shouldn't have his number retired. Being an enforcer has his place, and Neil was a true warrior for us, but I think retiring his number would be a bit much. Has any other franchise retired a enforcer/fighter player? None comes to mind. I think honouring his number is enough.
Redden is in the same boat for Andy. Have no issue if his number is retired. But I do think his number is less likely to be retired than Andy's.
Spezza was here 3 seasons longer than Karlsson and got us to the finals. Spezza's peak was better than Karlssons.
Without Spezza the offence is shit. He helped make Alfredsson a great player and turned Heatley into a 50 goal scorer.I disagree with this. Karlsson was selected as the best player at his position twice, Spezza has never been selected as the best player at his position. Plus Spezza never had a run as good as EK's 2017 playoff run. the 2007 team was much stronger than the 2017 team top to bottom. In addition, if we are going to choose which player got the Sens the farthest that year, it's Alfie who comes first, not Spezza.
when the management is as bad as it is, I don't blame the players. Even Alfie walked away.I don't believe a number should ever be retired to honour a played who asked to be traded.
I don't believe a number should ever be retired to honour a played who asked to be traded.
People spent half of Alfie's tenure complaining that he wasn't a good leader and could never get the Sens over the hump. Until he did.I don't think Karlsson should have his number retired. He was great but didn't lead us anywhere. Spezza, a ppg player in a Sens jersey deserves it more than he does and I don't think he should have it. Neither had the impact of Alfredsson. Karlsson wasn't a good leader.
Spezza was easily a top 5 center during his run and did everything p***yble to win a cup. Heatley and Alfredsson were the type of talent that allowed him to be creative. It didn't last and he spent 4 seasons playing with scubs. In his prime he had no one to play with. Karlsson never lead this team as well as Spezza offensively.People spent half of Alfie's tenure complaining that he wasn't a good leader and could never get the Sens over the hump. Until he did.
Spezza in no way or form deserves it more than Karlsson. The dude spent two more seasons here than Karlsson did, won absolutely nothing of value, and was derided consistently for being injury-prone and a turnover machine. Karlsson was the greatest player in the league at his position for most of his tenure here. He won two Norris trophies (and should have won a third) and nearly got this team to the finals.
If this team retires Chris Neil's number and doesn't retire Karlsson's, I'm putting a brick through somebody's window. The fact that people here continue to whine about Melnyk, yet have turned on Karlsson so harshly is a joke.