Ever sat through a movie or a T.V. Show and found yourself wondering if you haven’t already seen it? That is kind of what it was like when I was watching the Ottawa Senators the other day. It is kind of like a movie I’ve already seen.

I simply say this because there are so many players on this team that seem like they have been here before. And when I watch Daniel Alfredsson, I can’t help but think that even he is a little nonchalant about some of the newbies.

Now, I’m not insinuating that the team will suffer the same results as the previous incarnations of the Senators; just that a few of these guys have already been here before. So sit back, relax, and prepare to be awe-struck at my ability to make something out of nothing.

Alex Kovalev = Alexei Yashin

Nevermind the fact that both of these guys are big Russian forwards. It is the play of AK27 that reminds me so much of Yash. You see, even before we signed Kovalev to a 2-year deal, we already had our resident enigma.

Yashin had all the potential to steal a game. He had size, strength, vision and great hands. But he also had the ability to be completely invisible on the ice. We used to jke that if Yashin didn’t do something in the game early, you wouldn’t even see him for the rest of the game. Apparently if Yashin didn’t do something in the playoffs, you wouldn’t even see him the next season. But that is a different topic altogether.

Milan Michalek = Marian Hossa

Isn’t it kind of funny that we’ve come full circle on this. We traded Hossa for Heatley, enjoyed some of his production for a while, and then traded Heatley for Hossa V 2.0.

Michalek’s speed and size reminds me so much of Hossa; particularly as he drives the left side on his way to the front of the net. Like Hossa before him, Michalek is also a huge threat on the PK. All he needs now is a tinted visor and a sketchy contract.

Jonathan Cheechoo = Bill Muckalt

This could change… and not when Cheechoo scores his first goal.

But like Muckalt, Cheechoo was the afterthought in the trade that finally got rid of a disgruntled player. As m,y of us so fondly remember, Muckalt came over with Zdeno Chara and a first round draft pick that became Jason Spezza in exchange for Alexei Yashin. So all things being equal, we may be able to assume that San Jose’s pick will become a superstar.

Peter Regin = Todd White

They both have 5 letters in their last names. Crazy eh.

Pascal Leclaire = Dominik Hasek

I say this for a couple reasons. 1) Pascal is probably the best goaltender this team has had since the Dominator, and 2) They really seem to have similar personalities.

You see, they both seem like really fun loving guys who relish the media spotlight and the attention they get in Ottawa. Neither seems particulary phased by much, and they’re both just a bit quirky Pascal, for instance, has admitted several times that he talks to himself during games.

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So there you have it folks. A clear list that we have already seen these players before. And while I don’t think we have to worry about the same outcomes with any of these guys, it sure is hilarous to talk about the similarities.

Stay classy, old Senator players who have been reincarnated as new Senator players.

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