Senators by the Numbers: #6

It's time for #6, a number which continues to divide Sens fans. While the number is synonymous with Wade Redden, 3 other defensemen have worn #6 during their time in Ottawa. Until Redden's departure in the summer of 2008, the number had been in continual usage.

Gord Dineen D 1992-1993, 1993-1994

Part of a trio of hockey playing brothers (brothers Kevin and Peter were also in the NHL), Gord was drafted 42^nd overall by the New York Islanders in 1981. He joined the Senators for their inaugural season and served as Ottawa's captain in March and April of 1994, after co-captains Mark Lamb and Brad Shaw wore the "C" from October to March.

Derek Mayer D 1993-1994

Mayer had an eventful season in 1993-1994: he played 17 games for the Senators (the only NHL games he played during his professional career) and represented Canada at the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. While the majority of his career was spent in Europe (including 5 seasons with the Berlin Polar Bears) he also played for the Canadian National Team in 1992-1993, 1993-1994, and 1995-1996.

Chris Dahlquist D 1994-1995, 1995-1996

Undrafted out of Lake Superior State University, Dahlquist played for 4 organizations during his 11-year NHL career, including his home-state Minnesota North Stars. He played for an AHL team named the Baltimore Skipjacks and an IHL team named the Muskegon Lumberjacks.

Wade Redden D 1996-1997, 1997-1998, 1998-1999, 1999-2000, 2000-2001, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2005-2006, 2006-2007, 2007-2008

The class of the field. Forget for a minute how it ended, and remember how it began. With the team in turmoil and top-pick Bryan Berard refusing to play for the club, Ottawa needed a change. Redden, the 2^nd overall pick in 1995, was acquired along with Damian Rhodes from the New York Islanders, for Don Beaupre, Martin Straka, and Berard. Redden first made the team as a 19-year old and played in all 82 games during the 1996-1997 season, helping the Senators make the playoffs for the very first time. He scored his first goal on his shot against the Montreal Canadians. Redden was named an alternate captain at age 22, at the beginning of the 1999-2000 season, and would wear the letter for 8 seasons. He was selected to two All-Star Games as a Senator (2002, 2004), won the NHL Rookie of the Month in April, 1997, the NHL Defensive Player of the Month in January, 2004, and was the joint winner of the NHL Plus/Minus Award in 2006. He played for Canada five times during his tenure with the Senators: 3 World Championships, 1 World Cup of Hockey, and 1 Winter Olympics. His best season came in 2005-2006, when he recorded 10 goals, 40 assists, and 50 points in only 65 games. His points-per-game that season was 0.77 (during his final season with the New York Rangers it was 0.19).

Best #6: Wade Redden

While his play declined steeply in his last two seasons, Redden contributed several successful seasons during his Sens career. His final contract with the Senators will always draw comparisons to Zdeno Chara. While Chara's career has continued where he left-off with the Senators, Redden's last two seasons with the club were still among his better offensive seasons in terms of point production.

Worst #6: Chris Dahlquist

Derek Mayer was a possible candidate, but I don't like to dump on guys who barely made a mark in the NHL. Dineen's -52 is horrific, but Dahlquist was an NHL veteran who played 70 games for the Sens over a two-year span and was unimpressive at both ends of the rink.

When will we see another #6?