1998-99 record: 44-23-15, 103 points, 1st Northeast Division
Coach: Jacques Martin (119-114-49, four seasons with Senators)
New faces: GM Marshall Johnston, G Patrick Lalime, LW Rob Zamuner, D Chris Joseph, G Mike Fountain, G Jani Hurme, RW Kevin Miller, LW Petr Schastlivy
Losses: C Alexei Yashin, C Radek Bonk, GM Rick Dudley, LW Andreas Johansson, D Lance Pitlick, RW Nelson Emerson, RW Phil Crowe, LW Ted Donato, G Damian Rhodes
Strengths: Martin finally got the recognition he deserved by winning the Adams Award as coach of the year. All he did was guide the Senators to a better record in each of his three full seasons with the club. Despite losing the unheralded Pitlick to free agency, Ottawa still boasts a solid defense featuring Wade Redden, Sami Salo, Jason York and Igor Kravchuk. RW Marian Hossa was a finalist for the Calder Trophy despite missing 22 games. He is one of the NHL's top-rated prospects. LW-C Shawn McEachern enjoyed a career season with 31 goals. Under Martin, the Senators have been one of the league's most disciplined teams. Mild-mannered C Vaclav Prospal led the team with 58 penalty minutes. RW Daniel Alfredsson suffered through a disappointing campaign cut short by knee, abdominal and eye injuries. He has All-Star talent. LW Magnus Arvedson was among the league leaders with a plus-33 while scoring a career-high 21 goals, including four shorthanded tallies and six game-winners.
Weaknesses: Now that Ottawa has climbed to the top of the Northeast Division, it's learning what it takes to stay there. Yashin has vowed to sit out the entire season due to a contract impasse. He is the Senators' offense, leading the team in goals, assists, points and shots. Bonk finally found a niche centering the checking line, but joined Yashin as a holdout into training camp. With Rhodes traded away, the Sens lack goaltending depth. Hurme nearly won a spot in training camp last season and will battle the enigmatic Lalime for the backup job this time around. Alfredsson must avoid injury, particularly if Yashin is a no-show. Discipline is an attribute during the long regular season, but it was one reason Ottawa was swept in the first round of the playoffs.