When Michael Andlauer officially purchased the Ottawa Senators, many wondered if Daniel Alfredsson, former captain and widely considered the greatest player in franchise history, would return to the fold.
Alfredsson, who holds the Senators’ franchise records for goals (426), assists (682) and points (1,108) with 1,178 games played, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2022.
His relationship with the team seemed to deteriorate through the years, starting at the tail end of his career when he signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings after a nasty contract fight with Senators’ ownership. After a brief role in Ottawa’s front office as a senior adviser of hockey operations, he abruptly left the team and was reported to have said, “We hope to get a new owner,” in reference to former owner Eugene Melnyk.
However, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reported on Friday that Alfredsson would return to the franchise that he took to a Stanley Cup Final in 2007.
On Friday’s episode of "Daily Faceoff LIVE," Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk discuss Alfredsson’s return to Ottawa, and how this will affect both the product on the ice and the health of the franchise.
Tyler Yaremchuk: Alfredsson was on the ice with the Senators on Friday. For me, this signals a good cultural shift in Ottawa. It’s good to have this guy back after years of, do you want to call it “tension” with the organization?
Frank Seravalli: Frostiness?
Tyler Yaremchuk: Yeah. Do we know anything about a potential “official role” coming up here, now that we’re getting these videos of Alfredsson on the ice?
Frank Seravalli: I think they’re trying to come up with a title, whatever that may be. The official plan is to have Alfredsson working directly with players and owners. It’s probably not going to be an assistant coach title, maybe something in player development.
This is a hugely significant day for the Ottawa Senators. When you see Michael Andlauer come in and say he’s going to do things right, this is one way you do it. You bring back your cultural icons, your franchise icons, and you bring them back into the fold. If Alfredsson’s getting on board, you should be too.
You can watch the full show here…
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