2013 – 14 Ottawa Senators season The 2013 – 14 Ottawa Senators season was the 22nd season for the National Hockey League franchise . The 2013 – 14 season was the first season of a re - organization by the NHL of its divisions . Ottawa was placed in a new Atlantic Division with the Boston Bruins , Buffalo Sabres , Detroit Red Wings , Florida Panthers , Montreal Canadiens , Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs . The Senators failed to qualify for the playoffs . Off - season . In June 2013 , the Senators traded impending free agent Sergei Gonchar to the Dallas Stars for a sixth - round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft . The Senators chose Chris Leblanc with the pick . On July 5 , two moves came about that changed the face of the franchise . In a surprise move that shocked Ottawa fans , captain and multiple franchise record holder Daniel Alfredsson signed a contract to play with the Detroit Red Wings , ending his 17 - year association with Ottawa . " It pretty much came down to a selfish decision in terms of I have not won a Stanley Cup , a big priority for me , " Alfredsson explained in a candid conference call with the media . He continued explaining how hard of a decision it was and gave his reasoning . " I feel that in Ottawa they are getting closer and closer and they have a really bright future in front of them , but at this point in my career there ' s not much left , " Alfredsson said . " I don ' t have the time to wait for that . " In a later press conference , Alfredsson expressed his dissatisfaction in negotiations with the Senators . Alfredsson stated that an understanding to compensate Alfredsson for the low salary he had taken in the 2012 – 13 season was not lived up to . Alfredsson had taken a below - value $ 1 - million salary in 2012 – 13 in his contract to lower the long - term salary cap hit for his contract , but was not expecting to play the season . When Alfredsson decided to play the 2012 – 13 season , he had expected to re - negotiate the contract at that time , but the Senators did not re - open contract negotiations , and Alfredsson decided to play the season at the salary and seek compensation in the 2013 – 14 contract . The Senators wanted to pay Alfredsson his market value for 2013 – 14 , without any extra to cover 2012 – 13 . Later on July 5 , the Senators made a major trade with the Anaheim Ducks , picking up multiple 30 - goal scorer Bobby Ryan . The Senators had to give up first - year player Jakob Silfverberg , junior prospect Stefan Noesen and the team ' s first - round pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft . Ryan , who had been the subject of many trade rumours , tweeted " I ' m coming in hot , Ottawa " , a reference to the " Top Gun " movie . Ryan is expected to play on the top line with Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek . The Senators signed two free agents , forward Clarke MacArthur from Toronto , and defenceman Joe Corvo from Carolina . Corvo had previously played with Ottawa from 2006 – 2008 and was a member of the team that made it to the 2007 Stanley Cup Final . Forward Peter Regin and defenceman Andre Benoit left the team as free agents , Regin to the New York Islanders and Benoit to Colorado . Regular season . On December 2 , former captain Daniel Alfredsson made his first return visit to Ottawa , as a member of the Detroit Red Wings . Alfredsson was honoured with a video tribute before the game and a standing ovation from the fans . Alfredsson scored an empty net goal , enabling him to have scored against all 30 NHL teams . Alfredsson also had an assist on Detroit ' s first goal . The Red Wings won the game 4 – 2 . Assistant General Manager Tim Murray left the team on January 9 , 2014 to become the general manager of the Buffalo Sabres . Director of player personnel Pierre Dorion and Director of hockey operations and player development Randy Lee became joint assistant general managers , splitting the duties that Tim Murray was responsible for . General Manager Bryan Murray ' s contract was extended for two years on January 13 , taking on the additional title of president of hockey operations . After the two years is over , Murray would become an advisor to the Senators . The Senators played in the 2014 Heritage Classic game against the Vancouver Canucks on March 2 , 2014 at BC Place . The Senators unveiled a white version of their heritage third jersey for the game . The Canucks resurrected a uniform of the Vancouver Millionaires of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association from the 1910s for the game . The Senators won the game 4 – 2 . At the trade deadline of March 5 , the team was four points out of a playoff spot . The team added Ales Hemsky for the stretch run , giving up two draft picks . Winger Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo were put on waivers , with Conacher being picked up by the Buffalo Sabres . Corvo was not picked up and he was loaned to the Chicago Wolves of the AHL . Chicago is close to Corvo ' s home town of Oak Park , Illinois . The Senators also made two minor league deals , sending university player Jeff Costello to Vancouver for minor league defenceman Patrick Mullen . Binghamton player Andre Petersson was traded to the Anaheim Ducks for defenceman Alex Grant . Veteran defenceman and assistant captain Chris Phillips was re - signed for two years . The Senators , whom a lot of media had predicted were going to contend in the Eastern Conference , were eliminated from playoff contention on April 8 . Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Senators . Stats reflect time with the Senators only . Player statistics . No longer with team . Bold / italics denotes franchise record Draft picks . Ottawa Senators ' picks at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft , which was held in Newark , New Jersey on June 30 , 2013 .