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.
Alfredsson signed with the Detroit Red Wings in July 2013 and played his final season there before retiring from the NHL in late 2014.
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.
"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.
[4] 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 film Top Gun.
The Senators signed two free agents, forward Clarke MacArthur from Toronto and defenceman Joe Corvo from Carolina.
On December 1, former captain Daniel Alfredsson made his first return visit to Ottawa as a member of the Detroit Red Wings.
[5] General manager Bryan Murray's contract was extended for two years on January 13, taking on the additional title of president of hockey operations.
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.