You didn't know?

Alfredsson is the only great player in the NHL that didn't win the Cup (if he retires).
- Pecafan Fan

Think he'll retire?
- Pecafan Fan

I guess it'll depend on the severity of his latest concussion and the cumulative effect of the few he's had (two this season I think).

Would not blame him if he does, as health and quality of life trumps one more season.

I think he'll retire, because I think his wife and family will be an important component his his decision. He doesn't need the 1 Million he'd make next season.

Out of curiousity, how do you feel about having such an important part of your team nearing forty years old?
- prock

His importance is more about him being the Captain and clear leader of this team. His role on the ice is not as important. So IF he decides to play one more year, I'll not be surprised to see him taking a lesser role (on the ice) to allow younger players to play more minutes in more situations.

He averaged about 19 minutes per game this past season, so if he and management decide (if he plays next season) that dropping his TOI down to 14<>15 minute level and let him decide if he plays back to back games, or not, I think he'll just as effective as player as any other on team.

And if he retires this season or in the future, there's enough young players in the system to fill the void. Not that they will, but as a team they'll be fine as a whole.

Heck, as pointed out earlier, they won two of their games without him in the line up this playoff season.

His importance is more about him being the Captain and clear leader of this team. His role on the ice is not as important. So IF he decides to play one more year, I'll not be surprised to see him taking a lesser role (on the ice) to allow younger players to play more minutes in more situations.

He averaged about 19 minutes per game this past season, so if he and management decide (if he plays next season) that dropping his TOI down to 14<>15 minute level and let him decide if he plays back to back games, or not, I think he'll just as effective as player as any other on team.

And if he retires this season or in the future, there's enough young players in the system to fill the void. Not that they will, but as a team they'll be fine as a whole.

Heck, as pointed out earlier, they won two of their games without him in the line up this playoff season.
- Doppleganger

alfie won't be back if he doesn't think he can fulfull a top 6 role. its not in his nature and i don't think it helps the team.

alfie won't be back if he doesn't think he can fulfull a top 6 role. its not in his nature and i don't think it helps the team.
- sens rock

There may be as many as two Swedish prospects that make the team next season. He may take a lesser role (in TOI) but still play a top six role. The team may ask him to stay on "his terms" and help mentor the newcomers during the season, as they do respect him and would be a good way to start them on the right track.

He has the ability to play top six, first PP unit minutes, but I think it's his health concerns that may make a lesser TOI role seem the smarter choice in what could be his last season.

The Bruins cut back on Chara's overall TOI this season by an average of just over a minute (less) per game. So It's not unheard of.

There may be as many as two Swedish prospects that make the team next season. He may take a lesser role (in TOI) but still play a top six role. The team may ask him to stay on "his terms" and help mentor the newcomers during the season, as they do respect him and would be a good way to start them on the right track.

He has the ability to play top six, first PP unit minutes, but I think it's his health concerns that may make a lesser TOI role seem the smarter choice in what could be his last season.

The Bruins cut back on Chara's overall TOI this season by an average of just over a minute (less) per game. So It's not unheard of.
- Doppleganger

that doesn't make any sense. if he is going to play a top 6 role he is in the 18+ min/game range. your talking a 5-6 minute reduction, not a 1 min.

that doesn't make any sense. if he is going to play a top 6 role he is in the 18+ min/game range. your talking a 5-6 minute reduction, not a 1 min.
- sens rock

The reduced minutes could come from his PK time, and at the end of games when the score is outta reach.

So if you were given the choice of having Alfredsson coming back next season, playing fewer minutes, and taking a few more games off (if he wants) OR him retiring tomorrow.......which would you pick?

The reduced minutes could come from his PK time, and at the end of games when the score is outta reach.

So if you were given the choice of having Alfredsson coming back next season, playing fewer minutes, and taking a few more games off (if he wants) OR him retiring tomorrow.......which would you pick?
- Doppleganger

I want Alfie to play, but i don't think he does in the role that you are outlining. He is a competitor and wants to be relied upon as a top 6 player and captain.

It'd be like lidstrom coming back to play less than 20 mins a game.

I think things line up really nicely for Ottawa. They got top young talent and prospects emerging just when they needed them and the Turris deal falling in their lap was huge. I think this time next year we will be talking about Alfredsson's last games but he'll still be playing them.

Can you update this?
- prock

Ottawa .510 P%.......playoff chances 12.7% ( Dec. 22nd was 23.76%)
toronto .471 P%.......playoff chances 01.0% ( Dec. 22nd was 95.22%)

Ottawa .510 P%.......playoff chances 12.7% ( Dec. 22nd was 23.76%)
toronto .471 P%.......playoff chances 01.0% ( Dec. 22nd was 95.22%)
- Doppleganger

The leafs are rebuilding........again

The leafs are rebuilding........again

- top shelf 15

Well they've redone their Management group by bringing in Shanahan, who has Zero experience in running a sports franchise, but he hired a 28 year old who was the general manager of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds as the Assistant GM, and Mark Hunter, the owner and general manager of the London Knights as director of player personnel ..........and got rid of the Coach, so now the next step in the GM and the players????


Ottawa will have a New GM for the coming season, so both teams could look a bit different going into training camp in September.

Well they've redone their Management group by bringing in Shanahan, who has Zero experience in running a sports franchise, but he hired a 28 year old who was the general manager of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds as the Assistant GM, and Mark Hunter, the owner and general manager of the London Knights as director of player personnel ..........and got rid of the Coach, so now the next step in the GM and the players????


Ottawa will have a New GM for the coming season, so both teams could look a bit different going into training camp in September.
- Doppleganger

Talk is that its Shero ,iam ok with it so long as the scouting department. And the overall build from within mantra ,doesnt change and we dont go chasing rainbows

The leafs are rebuilding........again

- top shelf 15

I think what the Leafs need is to follow the Sens path, with a nice three year rebuild.

Works great, right?

I think what the Leafs need is to follow the Sens path, with a nice three year rebuild.

Works great, right?
- prock

Its been longer ,we have been on the retool /rebuild train for over 7 years now .It takes time. Something, the leafs brass or their fans never seem to understand

Its been longer ,we have been on the retool /rebuild train for over 7 years now .It takes time. Something, the leafs brass or their fans never seem to understand

- top shelf 15

Great, 7 years, bad team, bad prospect group. Murray said it was a three year plan, right?

Great, 7 years, bad team, bad prospect group. Murray said it was a three year plan, right?
- prock

leafs lose 10 games in a row, first time that has happened since there was only six teams in the league.............So how is Brian Burkes' re-build plan going now?

leafs lose 10 games in a row, first time that has happened since there was only six teams in the league.............So how is Brian Burkes' re-build plan going now?
- Doppleganger

Truculent.

I re-watched a clip of the game where Felix Potvin fought Ron Hextall, stood right up to the crazy guy. After that set of fights, the Leafs refused to leave their bench. A few left, then turned around and came right back. THAT was the team Burke thought he was building - even though they didn't win any cups, that was a Leafs team that deserved fan loyalty.

Murray has left every team he's taken over in a worse position than he's started. Burke has made every team better. Who would you prefer?
- prock

Murray laid the ground work and built the foundation for Burke's Cup win in Anaheim.

The freaking disaster that we're seeing today in toronto, is pretty much all on Burke and his protege.

Murray laid the ground work and built the foundation for Burke's Cup win in Anaheim.

The freaking disaster that we're seeing today in toronto, is pretty much all on Burke and his protege.
- Doppleganger

Maybe. But the complete lack of talent, and disaster, in Ottawa, is undeniably on Murray.

Maybe. But the complete lack of talent, and disaster, in Ottawa, is undeniably on Murray.
- prock

I know you're envious of the stockpile of young emerging NHLers who are getting a ton of experience, knocking off top Playoff seeds in arguably the toughest part of the season, while the leafs are wallowing in self pity after having given up on the season, by throwing in the towel a few weeks ago.

The Senators have two rookies in the top four of the league in rookie points, the leafs best rookie has a paltry 3 points.


It terms of where each team is in terms of their respective re-builds, Ottawa is miles and miles ahead of the leafs.

Maybe. But the complete lack of talent, and disaster, in Ottawa, is undeniably on Murray.
- prock

I ALSO blame the complete lack of disaster in Ottawa, on Bryan Murray.

I know you're envious of the stockpile of young emerging NHLers who are getting a ton of experience, knocking off top Playoff seeds in arguably the toughest part of the season, while the leafs are wallowing in self pity after having given up on the season, by throwing in the towel a few weeks ago.

The Senators have two rookies in the top four of the league in rookie points, the leafs best rookie has a paltry 3 points.


It terms of where each team is in terms of their respective re-builds, Ottawa is miles and miles ahead of the leafs.
- Doppleganger

Its funny how the leafs used to do this every year, and it was described as winning when it doesn't matter because the pressure is off.

The 2006 run with JS Aubin was the perfect example.

Now that your crap team has won a handful of games now, its the toughest part of the season.

I ALSO blame the complete lack of disaster in Ottawa, on Bryan Murray.
- Mr_Squeaks

Oh its a disaster alright. The team will never pick up any impact players picking 10th overall every year.

They will continue to pick up second rate crap like Jared cowrn, mika zibanejad, and Curtis Lazar.