It appears as if beloved franchise icon Daniel Alfredsson is back with the Ottawa Senators.
Senators president of hockey operations Steve Staios told reporters on Friday that Alfredsson is “officially back with the organization.”
A specific role and title have yet to be determined, according to The Athletic‘s Ian Mendes, but it’s likely to be in player development. Postmedia also reported Alfredsson’s return.
“Never mind that he’s Daniel Alfredsson, I look at his character and his acumen, I was eager to get him in wherever he wanted,” Staois told reporters. “His role will grow, as we discussed, but he’s got a great deal of passion for the game. We wanted to get him on the ice and get him started.”
Alfredsson, a Hockey Hall of Famer, acted in an executive advisory role for two seasons after he retired, but his contract was not renewed when it expired in July 2017. In 2016, he became the first player in modern Senators history to have his number retired.
If Alfredsson were to rejoin the Senators, it would mark another significant move under the leadership of new owner Michael Andlauer, who helped mend similar bridges while a minority owner with the Montreal Canadiens, bringing back legend Guy Lafleur to that organization.
The Senators host the Philadelphia Flyers in their home opener on Saturday.
