For many years, the Ottawa Senators have been a team seemingly followed by a dark cloud of misfortune. The narrative of the Senators being the unluckiest team in the NHL this decade is fueled by a series of events, including notable draft lottery disappointments and a recurring battle with player injuries.
One of the most discussed instances of bad luck occurred during the 2020 NHL Draft Lottery. While the New York Rangers secured the first overall pick, which was widely expected to be Alexis Lafreniere, the Senators held two lottery tickets and had a significant chance at landing the top prospect. Instead, Ottawa ended up with the third and fifth overall picks, selecting Tim Stützle and Jake Sanderson respectively. In retrospect, while Lafreniere has not lived up to generational expectations, both Stützle and Sanderson have become cornerstones of the Senators' future, a silver lining to what felt like a missed opportunity at the time.
Beyond the draft, the Senators have frequently been hampered by a significant number of injuries to key players. From extended absences of stars like Erik Karlsson and captain Brady Tkachuk to a seemingly endless list of players missing time due to various ailments, the team has consistently had to overcome adversity on the injury front. This chronic issue has not only impacted their on-ice performance but also contributed to a perception of bad luck. The team has also experienced draft position swings that have not always favoured them, with discussions around draft lottery odds suggesting a history of near misses and unpredictable outcomes.
The cumulative effect of these setbacks has cemented a reputation for the Senators as a team that often finds itself on the wrong side of fortune. While some of these instances could be attributed to the inherent randomness of hockey, the sheer volume and impact of these events have led many to believe that the Ottawa Senators might indeed be the unluckiest team in the league over the past decade.
