Daniel Alfredsson
Daniel Alfredsson is the captain of the Ottawa Senators. Drafted 133rd overall in the 6th round in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, he was a remarkable discovery by the Senators and possibly one of the best late draft picks ever. In his first season in the NHL in 1995-96 he won the Calder Memorial Trophy for rookie of the year and has consistently been one of the league's top players with his combination of grit, skill and leadership.
He was made captain of the Senators in 1999-2000 when Alexei Yashin refused to play. Alfredsson continued as captain the following season 2000-01, when Yashin was denied the captaincy upon returning to the lineup. He signed a two-year contract in 2002. In March of 2004, Alfredsson signed a another contract extension with the Ottawa Senators for an additional five years. In the following season, the Senators won the President's Trophy. Alfredsson's career high 78 points led the way. During the NHL lockout he played for Frölunda HC in Sweden and won the Swedish Championship.
Alfredsson was named to Team Sweden as an alternate captain for the 2006 Winter Olympics due to Peter Forsberg's nagging leg injury. The team would go on to win the gold medal.
After a mediocre run in the 2006 playoffs, Alfredsson was the subject of trade rumors from the beginning of the 2006-2007 season. He ended up turning around his game and enjoying a 6-game scoring streak soon after, proving that he can play under pressure and has the ability to rise to any challenge. In the 2007 playoffs, Alfredsson raised his play more effectively than in any previous year as he helped the Senators as they moved through the playoffs with ease and ended up in the Finals for the first time in the Ottawa Senator's modern history.
Daniel Alfredsson is the Senators all-time leader in games played (783), goals (291), assists (467) and points (758). He also holds many Senators playoff records, naturally, and set the Senators record for most goals in a playoff run with 14 in the 2006-07 playoffs. He also led the league in goals during the 2006-07 playoffs and tied team mates Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley with 22 points to lead the league in that category.
Alfredsson is a born leader with a bit of a mean streak that can cost his team some chances. For the most part, though, Alfredsson controls himself and plays with his heart on his sleeve. He seems to have silenced his critics with a stellar playoff performance in 2007, but time will tell if that superior play sticks around or if he returns to post-season form of the past. Regardless, Alfredsson's skill will likely always be a factor and will always have the ability to change the tempo of any hockey game he plays in.
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