Making The Grade: Daniel Alfredsson
I had saved this one for last, hence the reverse alphabetical order thing. I had tried to time this one either to coincide with the return (expected) or retirement (possible) of Daniel Alfredsson. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have to post it after the defection of the face of the franchise to a divisional rival. But that is the circumstance that we are in, so here goes nothin….
DANIEL ALFREDSSON
Season Review – In a season that saw almost every start player on the club ravaged by one injury or another, Alfredsson was the pillar of strength that kept the team together on the ice. He finished second on the club with 10 goals and third in assists with 16. More important was the leadership he showed that was widely acknowledged in the room as on of the main reasons the club made the post-season.
May 22, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Ottawa Senators right wing Daniel Alfredsson (11) loses a skate blade in the second period in game four of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Scotiabank Place. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Playoffs – Alfredsson led the Senators in scoring in the playoffs, with 10 points in 10 games as the Senators advanced to the second round before bowing out in 5 games to the Penguins. He became a lightning rod of controversy as his frank honesty in answering a question after the Senators fell behind 3-1 in the series, and admitted a comeback as not likely.
Contract Status – I don’t need to fill this one in now, do I?
Importance To Franchise – He was the face of the franchise for more than a decade and the best player in its short history. We might not ever fully comprehend why he left, but it is a damn shame and he will be missed, whatever side of the fence you sit on.
Needs to Improve – N/A..anything I put in here would seem petty at this point in time.
Grade – A . Alfredsson stepped up and delivered as much as he could in what turned out to be his final season in Ottawa. The off-season disappointment notwithstanding, for the performance he put out on a nightly basis there wasn’t much more he could have personally done.