Three key figures in Senators' history should have their numbers retired when done. Daniel...

Three key figures in Senators' history should have their numbers retired when done. Daniel Alfredsson is a complete no-brainer, and Murray is on record saying the captain will not be moved. Jacques Martin is another. Martin didn't have the desired playoff success, but there is no doubt he was reason number one for the organization's turnaround. Of course, he doesn't have a number, so maybe they can retire a can of Brylcreem.

The third is Phillips. You may snicker, but he is totally deserving. Taken first overall in 1996, his decision to go to Ottawa without complaint was a major boost for a team that had to trade Bryan Berard (the top selection a year earlier) because Berard wanted nothing to do with them. All Phillips has done since then is play 1,022 games (including playoffs) and do an incredible amount of work in the community. Not as large an impact as Alfredsson or Martin, but when you remember what a complete mistake Ottawa looked like in 1996, Phillips' role in the turnaround is very significant.

The disease of comfort? - Elliotte Friedman

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I wouldn't have a problem retiring #4

I don’t know if the team will do it. Most retired numbers are legends of their franchises. Philips has been integral, but I wouldn’t describe him as legendary.

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by Mark Parisi on Feb 28, 2011 8:46 PM EST reply actions

I don't think it should be retired

He’s had a solid career, but I don’t think it’s retired jersey worthy

Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.

by DarrenM on Feb 28, 2011 9:05 PM EST up reply actions

they retire anything these days...

and if he plays another 200-300 games for us, thats a lot of games in one place. Glen Wesley comes to mind (in Carolina) I think they retired his.

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by DaveYoung on Mar 1, 2011 10:42 AM EST up reply actions

Sure he is

It’s not Hall of Fame-worthy, but he will undoubtedly be among the most well-known Senators players in franchise history. He’ll be the second player to play 1,000 games in a Sens uni in the short history of the franchise, but I don’t think they’ll be as common in the future.

On a team with as little history as the Senators, you might need to be a little generous in establishing it. Retiring the number of someone who may be a career Senator (assuming he is one) is a way to do so.

At the very least, a jersey honouring is in order.

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by Peter Raaymakers on Mar 1, 2011 11:45 AM EST up reply actions

I'm for retiring

For both the reasons stated above and the simple fact that it fits my loose and highly subjective criteria; the simple idea that, if I see a player wearing that number once Phillips is gone my first thought would be “Pretty effing cocky of you to wear that number on this team…”
The only Senators I can think of who carry the kind of weight and history with this team to fit that are Alfie (I say retirement ceremony preceding his final game – unless its the playoffs, in which case, home opener next season) and Big Rig.

by Johnny_Spectacular on Mar 1, 2011 4:18 PM EST up reply actions

call me strange but...

I’d much prefer a ‘ring of honour’ and let someone else wear #11. I thought the same thing when they retired Linden’s #16…wouldn’t it be better (and more lasting) to have some kid come up and wear #11. Then everybody in the crowd and at home could reminisce about Alfie blazing down the wing or chasing a puck in the corner with reckless abandon. I’d much rather that than to never see another Senator wear the number.

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by MadCash on Mar 2, 2011 9:39 PM EST reply actions

What kid would have the sack to wear #11?

No one’s going to want to be compared to a franchise legend like that. I can understand all the nines people wear because everyone wanted to be Howe/Hull/Gretzky. But Alfie doesn’t cast that long of a shadow. He’s franchise-specific, and I can’t imagine a young player inviting extra scruntiny in an already hockey-mad town by wearing the number. They may as well retire it, because no one will probably wear it anyway.

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by Mark Parisi on Mar 3, 2011 1:56 PM EST up reply actions

I agree 100%

But what if we, in 18 years, draft Alfie’s son? Or the 2nd coming of Kevin Dineen (another awesome #11). I agree no kid would want to wear it now, but maybe in 15 years when the legend of Alfie has somewhat subsided. I’d hate for it to NEVER be worn again..

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by MadCash on Mar 5, 2011 1:24 AM EST up reply actions