10 Hockey Players who Played for Senators and Panthers
My guess is you’ve searched this page out because you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
If I’m right, that also means that today’s grid is asking for players who have played for both the Ottawa Senators and the Florida Panthers.
And, I’m also guessing that you’re a little stuck on this particular square and you’re looking for a little help to keep your grid immaculate. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, I’m here to help.
I’ve already done the research and have put together a list of well-known stars along with some more “under-the-radar” players that could land you a low rarity score.
Mike Hoffman
Mike Hoffman was selected 130th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 5th round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Hoffman made his NHL debut with the Senators during the 2011-2012 season, but his true breakout came in the 2014-2015 season, where he emerged as a key offensive player.
Hoffman’s journey in the NHL saw him move from the Senators to the Florida Panthers, with a brief intermediary step involving a trade to the San Jose Sharks and then immediately to Florida in 2018.
His tenure with the Panthers continued to highlight his offensive prowess, making him a consistent scoring threat, especially on the power play. Hoffman later signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Blues, where he continued to demonstrate his scoring ability.
Alex Kovalev
Alexei Kovalev is a retired Russian player and current coach. He played over 1,300 games in the NHL over 18 seasons for teams including the Rangers, Penguins, Canadiens, Senators, and Panthers. Kovalev was drafted 15th overall by the Rangers in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft, becoming the first Russian-born player to be drafted in the first round.
Kovalev was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1998 and had two of his best NHL seasons with them, scoring 76 and 95 points. In 2003, he was traded back to the Rangers and later to the Canadiens in 2004. He later signed with the Senators in 2009 and scored his 1,000th career point in 2010.
In the NHL, he totaled 1,316 games, scoring 430 goals and 599 assists. His awards include NHL All-Star selections in 2001, 2003, and 2009, winning the NHL All-Star Game MVP in 2009, and the Molson Cup in 2008. He won a Stanley Cup with the Rangers in 1994.
Kovalev Key Stats
- Stanley Cup Championship (Rangers)
- 1000+ Career Points (Rangers, Penguins, Canadiens, Senators, Panthers)
- 40+ Goal Season (Penguins)
- 50+ Assist Season (Penguins)
Mike Sillinger
Mike Sillinger is a player known for his journeyman career in the NHL. Over the course of his tenure in the league, Sillinger earned the unique distinction of playing for a record 12 different NHL teams, the most by any player in league history. This constant movement earned him the nickname of the “NHL’s most traded player.”
Sillinger started his NHL career after being drafted 11th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. While he showcased skill and versatility as a center, he frequently found himself on the move, transitioning between teams either through trades or free agency.
Despite the frequent relocations, Sillinger was consistently productive wherever he played. Over his 1,049 NHL games, he accumulated 548 points, proving his value as a reliable two-way forward.
Todd Simpson
Todd Simpson is a Canadian player whose career spanned over a decade in the NHL. His journey in ice hockey began at Brown University and continued in Canadian junior hockey with the Tri-City Americans and Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League (WHL).
Simpson’s professional career started in 1994 with the Calgary Flames, where he remained until 1999. He then moved to the Florida Panthers for the 1999–2000 NHL season, followed by a trade to the Phoenix Coyotes. He then played for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, where he scored a career-high four goals, and later for the Ottawa Senators.
During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Simpson won the Danish league championship with Herning Blue Fox, and then returned to the NHL to play with the Chicago Blackhawks and the Montreal Canadiens.
Craig Anderson
Craig Anderson, an American goaltender, had a distinguished career in the NHL. Anderson played for multiple teams including the Blackhawks, Panthers, Avalanche, Senators, Capitals, and Sabres. He is particularly remembered for his time with the Ottawa Senators, where he played for 10 seasons.
Anderson’s career in the NHL included many achievements, including playing in over 700 games and securing over 300 wins, a milestone reached by only 39 NHL goaltenders. He represented the United States in international play as well.
One of the highlights of his career was being awarded the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2017, which is given to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey.
Anderson Key Stats
- 300+ Career Wins (Senators, Blackhawks, Panthers, Avalanche, Sabres, Capitals)
- 30+ Win Season (Avalanche, Senators)
Claude Giroux
Claude Giroux was drafted 22nd overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He made his debut for the Flyers during the 2007-2008 season, and by the early 2010s, he had already become one of the team’s core players. His breakout season came in 2011-2012 when he tallied 93 points.
Under Giroux’s leadership as captain, the Flyers made multiple playoff appearances. His best season (to-date) was in 2017-18 when he scored over 100 points for the first time in his career and was selected as an All-Star.
Beyond his NHL achievements, Giroux has represented Canada on the international stage. He was part of the Canadian team that won gold at the 2015 IIHF World Championship.
Giroux Key Stats
- All-Star (Flyers)
- 100+ Point Season (Flyers)
- 50+ Assist Season (Flyers)
Chris Driedger
Chris Driedger is a Canadian goaltender currently playing for the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the American Hockey League (AHL) and under contract with the Seattle Kraken. Driedger was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the third round, 76th overall, in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Driedger’s career began with the Ottawa Senators, where he signed a three-year entry-level contract in 2014 and made his NHL debut in 2015. After five seasons with the Senators, he was released and subsequently joined the Springfield Thunderbirds, the AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers.
He signed with the Panthers in 2019 and recorded a shutout win in his first career start against the Nashville Predators. In 2021, Driedger was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the NHL Expansion Draft and signed a three-year contract with them.
Chris Tierney
Chris Tierney is a Canadian center currently playing for the New Jersey Devils. He was drafted 55th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Tierney began his pro career in the 2014-15 season, making an immediate impact. He spent the full 2015-16 season with the Sharks, reaching the Stanley Cup Finals.
Tierney continued to play for the Sharks until the 2018-19 season, after which he was traded to the Ottawa Senators. During his tenure with the Senators, Tierney was a consistent performer, even leading the team in penalty killing time on ice during the 2017-18 season.
Over his NHL career to date, Tierney has played in 597 games, scoring 76 goals and 160 assists for a total of 236 points, along with 40 playoff appearances.
Erik Gudbranson
Erik Gudbranson is a Canadian defenseman, known for his physical style of play and his defensive abilities. He was drafted third overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2010 NHL Draft.
During his early career with the Panthers, Gudbranson established himself as a tough, physical defenseman, often taking on a role that emphasized defensive responsibilities over offensive production.
Over the years, Gudbranson has been a bit of a journeyman, playing for several teams including the Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators, Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets.
