​New Toronto Maple Leafs associate coach Daniel Alfredsson said he understands why some Ottawa Senators fans feel unsettled about his switching sides in the Battle of Ontario. “Yeah, I totally understand it,” the former Senators captain and franchise icon told tsn.ca during a conference call from his home in Sweden. “There’s no question. I think from talking to friends and other coaches as well, it’s different when you’re a coach. I think when I felt that this is the career I want to pursue, as a coach I knew I had to move at some point. I have to earn my way and gain experience.”
Alfredsson, who spent 18 seasons with Detroit before finishing his career in 2013-14 with 18 goals and 49 points in 68 games, is now joining the staff of new Leafs head coach Jim Hiller, a former Red Wings defenseman and assistant coach. As his playing days with the Red Wings closed, Alfredsson reflected on what might have been. “In my dreams, would I have loved to stay and someday become the head coach of Ottawa? Perhaps,” he said. “But you don’t stay as a coach forever in one spot, no matter how popular you are. You’ve got to perform. And for me, to grow as a coach, this is the path. I knew at some point I had to move, and they don’t hand out NHL coaching jobs easily. It’s a tough job to land, and when this opportunity came along, I felt it was the right move for my coaching career without a doubt.”
Now 53, Alfredsson thanked Senators owner Michael Andlauer, president of hockey operations and general manager Steve Staios, and the Ottawa coaching staff for the chance to serve as an assistant coach over the last three years. “Now I’ve caught the coaching bug, which I’m very happy about,” he said. Alfredsson, who began with the Senators in a player development role, had his contract expire after last season. “After I finished the season, I took some time, as I always do to reflect, and I decided I’m not coming back to Ottawa. I’m going to pursue different experiences.”
Meanwhile, across the league, Chicago Blackhawks star forward Connor Bedard is expected to recover in about four months following surgery to repair his left shoulder, the team announced Wednesday. Based on the team-provided timeline, Bedard would miss more than a month of the 2026-27 regular season. The 19-year-old rookie is set to turn 21 on July 17 and was injured after tumbling into the boards during an offseason on-ice workout last Thursday. Bedard posted career highs last season with 30 goals, 45 assists, and 75 points, leading the team in assists and points while missing 12 games due to the shoulder injury. He won the 2024 Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie after recording 61 points (22 goals, 39 assists) in 68 games. He continues to be a central figure for the Blackhawks as he works toward a full recovery.