2009–10 Ottawa Senators season
| 2009–10 Ottawa Senators | |
|---|---|
| Division | 2nd Northeast |
| Conference | 5th Eastern |
| 2009–10 record | 44–32–6 |
| Home record | 26–11–4 |
| Road record | 18–21–2 |
| Team information | |
| General Manager | Bryan Murray |
| Coach | Cory Clouston |
| Captain | Daniel Alfredsson |
| Alternate captains |
Mike Fisher Chris Phillips |
| Arena | Scotiabank Place |
| Average attendance | 18,269 (95.3%) (41 dates) |
| Team leaders | |
| Goals | (25) Mike Fisher |
| Assists | (43) Daniel Alfredsson |
| Points | (85) Daniel Alfredsson |
| Penalties in minutes | (190) Matt Carkner |
| Plus/minus | (+10) Peter Regin |
| Goals against average | (2.57) Brian Elliott |
The 2009–10 Ottawa Senators season was the 18th NHL season (17th season of play) in the modern Senators' history. After missing the post-season in 2008–09 for the first time since the 1995-96 season, the team qualified for the playoffs with four games to play with a win against the Carolina Hurricanes on April 1, 2010. The Senators drew the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round and won the series 4–2.
In early June, left winger Dany Heatley notified General Manager Bryan Murray that he wanted a trade out of Ottawa. According to reports, Heatley was dissatisfied with his role and ice time under new coach Cory Clouston.
On June 15, it was announced that Team President Roy Mlakar's contract would not be renewed. Cyril Leeder, one of the principals in the "Bring Back the Sens" drive in 1990 was named as team president. He had previously been president and chief operating officer of Scotiabank Place and the related Senators Sports and Entertainment Corporation.
The team announced its first-ever exhibition game in Regina, Saskatchewan, to be held on September 21 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. It will be the first NHL game in Regina in 19 years.
At the NHL Entry Draft, the team chose defenceman Jared Cowen as their first-round pick, ninth overall. Cowan had been projected as a top-five pick, but had suffered a knee injury during the 2008–09 season. Cowen is tall and is expected to play a "shut-down" role in the future with the Senators.
In the days leading up to the July 1 free agency period, a prospective trade emerged for Dany Heatley with the Edmonton Oilers. Reportedly, the Oilers offered Andrew Cogliano, Dustin Penner and Ladislav Smid. Heatley met with the Edmonton management and turned down the trade using a no-movement clause in his contract. On July 1, the Senators were required to make a $4 million payment in advance of Heatley's 2009–10 salary, and the Senators had hoped to move Heatley before the payment. According to Slam! Sports, the Oilers were not on a list of teams acceptable to Heatley, the list of teams including the Rangers, Bruins, Canucks, Sharks, Kings, Red Wings, Flames and Blackhawks. According to GM Murray, teams were "sour" on Heatley and there were few offers.
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