The Ottawa Senators and Their Tradition of Enforcers
The Ottawa Senators have a storied tradition of incorporating enforcers into their lineup, with Mike Peluso being the franchise’s inaugural tough guy. Peluso notably holds the record for the most penalty minutes in a single season with 318. Amongst others, Chris Neil stands out as the franchise’s most prominent enforcer and the sole player whose number has been retired by the Senators. Additionally, the organization has seen notable fighters like Dennis Vial, Brian McGrattan, Denny Lambert, Andre Roy, Matt Carkner, Matt Kassian, and Mark Borowiecki don their colors over the years.
Recent Acquisition: Kurtis MacDermid
Recently, the organization added a new enforcer to their history by acquiring Kurtis MacDermid from the New Jersey Devils. This trade, which involved sending fellow tough player Zack MacEwen to the Devils, was driven by the team’s dissatisfaction with their physical performance after being decisively beaten by the Montreal Canadiens, 5-0, in a game earlier that week. It was the physical nature of the defeat—not merely the score—that sparked Ottawa’s move to boost their toughness for the season ahead.
MacDermid’s Background and Transition
Kurtis MacDermid, who brings with him the experience of winning a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche, has previously played under Senators’ head coach Travis Green while with the Devils. Green commended MacDermid’s role as a key team player, stating,
“He’s one of the tougher guys in the league… a tremendous teammate who understands the game.”
Despite his brief time under Green’s guidance, MacDermid is well acquainted with the coaching philosophy and is looking to establish himself in his new environment. After joining Ottawa in the lead-up to their preseason finale in Montreal, he described the transition as smooth and expressed excitement about the new team dynamics.
“I’ve just been trying to relax and enjoy the experience here. The guys and the staff have made it a really easy transition,”
he noted.
Impact on Team Dynamics
The match against Montreal had previously led to a staggering 150 combined penalty minutes, raising concerns about escalating aggression; however, the rematch saw a notable decrease, with merely 14 penalties recorded. It remains undetermined if MacDermid’s introduction had any influence on this reduction in physicality, but his presence doesn’t go unnoticed.
Before MacDermid’s acquisition, both MacEwen and Hayden Hodgson, his former junior teammate, were competing for the same enforcer role within the Senators. Following the trade, MacDermid aims to make a positive impression on his new team.
“I just go out there and try to create space for the guys and stick up for them when needed,”
he said, with hopes of contributing effectively to the team’s success.
MacDermid’s Career and Expectations
A product of the NHL’s undrafted free agent process, MacDermid has accumulated significant playing time, with 288 games under his belt. He follows in the footsteps of his father Paul, who accumulated 690 games in the NHL, as the Senators further integrate the legacies of former NHL players into their roster. Standing tall at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 233 pounds, MacDermid’s imposing figure is expected to add much-needed grit to the Senators, especially in crucial matchups against rivals like the Canadiens.
However, while his physical presence offers toughness on the ice, there is an acknowledgment that it could come at the expense of offensive production—the last season with the Devils saw MacDermid post zero points in 23 games. Nonetheless, the Senators see strategic value in deploying him selectively, particularly during intense rivalries that promise heightened emotional stakes.
