Fans ‘justifiably feel robbed’
Re: Talking only makes it worse, Aug. 16.
Columnist Wayne Scanlan is right in that Alfie’s press conference has made it worse and increased the fans’ sadness and frustration. It’s so obvious that it didn’t have to happen, that the Senators underestimated their captain’s pride, that Melnyk made it worse with his interview and that even though he felt under-appreciated that Alfredsson was initially still willing to protect the team by not revealing his true reasons.
All of those commentators who keep repeating that it’s just business (the famous Godfather quote) are wrong. It is about relationships. The three parties in this story: management, Alfie and the fans, are all hurting.
For the fans, it isn’t as much about whether or not we are worse off without him, but about the loss of a true hero. Daniel Alfredsson is just a man with talent and integrity, but he became a god in Ottawa. We fell in love with his clutch playing ability, with his long-term captaincy, with his serious Swedish demeanour, with his family, with his community work and with his hair. We thought he would retire from here and maybe go on to work for the team in some capacity. Now that will never happen because of bungling and we justifiably feel robbed.
CATHY HALEY, Ottawa
Move on, get over it
I’m beginning to lose my patience. Hearing his name (Daniel Alfredsson) mentioned over and over is like the sound of finger nails running down a blackboard. It’s almost as bad as light rail.
My suggestion then, for Ottawa’s hockey fans, is to do exactly what he did. Move on.
Show some enthusiasm, respect and loyalty towards the Ottawa Senators hockey team, of which he is no longer a part, and get over it, before the next season begins.
JILL YOUNG, Nepean
All about the money
Re: A bittersweet farewell, Aug. 16.
I’ve been vindicated! When Daniel Alfredsson first gave his explanation (“it’s not about money”) for moving to Detroit, I told my daughter, and anyone else who would listen, “It’s about the money,” and nobody listened.
Now it appears it was about the money. As a general rule, when they say “it’s not about the politics, religion, sex or money, take your pick. It’s always about the politics, religion, sex or money.”
JOY RUTTAN, Gatineau
Strike one, management
I watched Alfie’s news conference ... twice. I am a diehard Ottawa Senators fan and always will be. But to say our club blew it would be an understatement.
Being over 40 myself and reading between the lines, my team assumed Daniel Alfredsson would accept whatever we offered him, forgetting the fact he sucked up a low-ended contract for two years knowing he was worth more.
Being over 40, we assumed he would accept what we offered him to stay and finish his career here and smile when he knew in his heart he was worth more. That is what is partly wrong with today’s work environment. It is assumed in today’s society that those considered over the age of the norm can’t contribute. Experience will always count for something.
I wish Alfie the best, but as a Sens fan, I hope we finish ahead of the Detroit Red Wings. To team management, I say strike one. Never assume again.
BARRY HYNES, Metcalfe
Alfie is a classy guy
What a classy guy that Daniel Alfredsson is. How they treated the best player on the whole team in 2012-’13, is sad. And what a classy way he had to, hopefully, temporarily leave Ottawa.
I suggest to all Sens fans owning an Alfredsson sweater/jersey, be prepared when he and the Detroit team comes to Ottawa. Be wearing that sweater that moment he steps onto that ice, and at the time when fans render him the thunderous support of appreciation that they and the city collectively have for him, the best player the team has ever had.
He deserves it, and so do his admiring fans.
We want him back. And when his hockey-playing years are over, we all know we will celebrate, with him present, the lifting of his beloved number to prominence in the arena he helped build. We all want to proudly salute it as a sign of love and appreciation.
L. EDWARD MONTBRIAND, Ottawa