Daniel Alfredsson, Career Senator: Why It May Not Meant to Be

A couple years back, the media asked captain and long-time Ottawa Senators saviour Daniel Alfredsson if he would ever consider a trade out of the Nation’s Capital to win Lord Stanley’s Cup. Alfie replied with a smile, and moved on from there. He said he had “no intention” to, but it was “too early to be asking those kind of questions”.

Now at the tender age of 37, El Capitano likely has only 3-4 years left in him. The window for a Stanley Cup has seemed to close for some time in Bytown, although Bryan Murray’s planning and excellent drafting has paved the way for a bright future. I still can’t see Ottawa (or Canada for that matter) winning a Stanley Cup while Daniel Alfredsson plays, because of all the harm previous managerial people did to this organization. There’s no real blue-chip prospect in the system up front, although the team’s defense should become one of the best in the NHL.

The question now is, can Ottawa afford to trade Alfredsson? Will Daniel even accept to such thing, as Raymond Bourque did back in 2000. Alfie has said numerous times he wants to remain in Ottawa his whole career, but as we saw with Boruque and although it didn’t happen in the end, fellow Swede Mats Sundin, mind change. Trade value can be skyrocket high, but the emotions and response from the club and it’s fans would literally demise and demolish the Senators.

Do remember, the reason the Sens never left Ottawa is because of their captain, Daniel Alfredsson. He deferred salary back in 2003, in a time when the team was bankrupt and needed money to acquire some solid bodies at the Trade Deadline. After that last captain, Alexei Yashin jerked off and became Mike Milbury’s living nightmare, Alfie was the real only hope left. Ever early April, we all celebrate Daniel Alfredsson Day. But, if Alfie were to be traded, and later won the Cup as in the case of Ray Bourque, it’s something I will cherish, and hope all Sens fans can feel as well.

For now, though. Never ever think about the possibility of trading the lifetime hero. Career Senator, and future Hall of Famer.