52-21-8-1 (113 pts)
1st in East
1st overall

Andrew Allen, G (FA-Det); Daniel Corso, C (FA-StL); Denis Hamel, LW (FA-Buf); Serge Payer, C (T-Fla); Peter Smrek, D (T-Nas)

Magnus Arvedson, LW (FA-Van) ; Chris Bala, LW (T-Min) ; Mathieu Chouinard, G (FA-LA) ; Joe Murphy, RW (FA-Europe) ; Joey Tetarenko, RW (FA-Car) ; Bob Wren, C (FA-Europe)

Patrick Lalime looks ready to make the leap to one of the NHL's top-flight goaltenders.

After spending the past few seasons trying to prove his critics wrong, Lalime has finally earned the respect of newspaper writers and, mostly importantly, the Ottawa fans.

Lalime is remarkably cool under pressure and has the enviable ability to shake off a bad goal.

There's no doubt that he played behind a remarkably strong Ottawa team, but his abilities in net allowed the Senators to claim their first President Trophy and come within one win of a berth to the Stanley Cup final.

The Senators can beat almost any team in league with their offence or an air-tight defence. And that's a dangerous combination. Martin Havlat signs a new contract, the Sens will bring back virtually the same mix of forwards and defence last year. With a year of seasoning under their belts and a Stanley Cup Finals berth within their grasp, the Sens will definitely try to show that last year was not a fluke. Marian Hossa led an impressive and deep forward lines that includes Daniel Alfredsson, Radek Bonk, Mike Fisher, Bryan Smolinski and prodigy Jason Spezza. On defence, Wade Redden anchors a blue line that will feature Zdeno Chara, Chris Phillips and the improving Karel Rachunek.

The 24-year-old right-winger is playing down the notion he might score 50 goals this season, but he definitely has the ability to do it. Now in his sixth NHL season, Hossa has become one of the most dangerous wingers in the league and will be the backbone of the Senators offence.