THE RETURN OF ALFIE
Former captain set to join Senators front office
Let’s try the following on for size: Daniel Alfredsson, special adviser to the general manager?
How about hockey operations assistant? Player personnel liaison?
Whatever title and responsibilities the former longtime captain eventually assumes in his post playing career with the Ottawa Senators – Alfredsson and the club are currently in the midst of those discussions — his return to the organization in a front-office capacity is now a given.
For months, speculation has circulated around Alfredsson’s future.
While the Senators offered no official comment on a TSN 1200 report Friday that said Alfredsson could take on his new job once training camp begins in September, he is most certainly ready to dip his toe into front office waters.
When the official announcement comes, it will serve as a positive public relations move for the club.
Alfredsson, 42, played 17 of his 18 NHL seasons with the Senators, serving as captain from 1999-2013. He holds franchise regular-season records with 426 goals and 682 assists and Senators playoff records — 121 games played, 51 goals and 49 assists.
He also stands a legitimate chance of being inducted into the Hall of Fame when his eligibility arrives.
The one real stinger during his Senators career — his departure to the Detroit Red Wings as a free agent following a nasty contract squabble after the 2012-13 season — is now fading further in memory.
However his future position with the Senators shakes out, much of it will stem from his relationship with general manager Bryan Murray, who has said the 2015-16 season will be his final one at the helm of the team.
Murray’s efforts early in the 2014-15 season helped put a Band-Aid over the previously strained relationship between Alfredsson and the Senators, and lead to his official retirement in a Senators uniform last December.
While Alfredsson could work closely with Murray next season — the former captain has expressed a strong interest in the business side of the operation — it’s not believed he wants to eventually assume the general manager’s job.
Current assistant general managers Pierre Dorion and Randy Lee are expected to remain in their positions for the 2015-16 season.
Dave Cameron doesn’t need to look over his shoulder, either, wondering if Alfredsson has eyes on his job. Coaching is not on Alfredsson’s priority list.
As Alfredsson begins to learn the ropes of life in the executive suite, his family will remain in Detroit, at least for the time being.
Yet ever since his grand retirement party as a player, there has been a certain inevitability to his return.
Senators fans saw him return to the Canadian Tire Centre for a pre-game ceremony after defenceman Chris Phillips broke Alfredsson’s franchise record for games played.
He joined Murray in the press box during the Senators firstround playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens, marvelling at the club’s remarkable comeback to earn a post-season spot.
Alfredsson remains close friends with current Senators captain Erik Karlsson.
Away from the ice, Alfredsson has continued his charity work here, with the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, the Ottawa Boys and Girls Club and the annual Ringside For Youth program.
Alfredsson grew so popular during his playing career in Ottawa that he probably could have run for mayor and won.
Two years removed from this city following an illustrious playing career here, Alfie will soon be coming back “home” to take on a very different kind of job with his old club.