Interesting interview with Sens Captain Daniel Alfredsson where he talks about his experience in Sweden, his future with the Ottawa Senators and his plans for the future.
With Alfie currently representing Sweden at the World Championships, fans back in Ottawa eagerly await word on his plans for next season.
Plenty of interesting content in the interview (full transcript available here) but the comments that jumped out at me were his plans after hockey, in particular his desire to be a coach when his playing career is over.
Interesting that he emphasized the fact that it wouldn't be any time soon.
- I would like to know if you see yourself behind the Senators bench as an assistant or even a head coach in the NHL eventually? If so, would you be more of a strategy-minded or a motivator-type coach? (Pierre Larabie, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
- I think I’d be both. I don’t see myself coaching too soon. I think it takes even more time at the rink than it does as a player to prepare! [chuckles] Right now, I don’t think I’m ready for that. But I like the strategic aspect of the game. I think I read the game really well. I try to talk to our coaches about things I’d like to see at times. I’m interested in how the coaches think. I like that part of it. So I think I’d be a bit of both types. I think I can also challenge guys and motivate them in different ways.
It was also nice to hear Alfredsson say flat out, he will retire as an Ottawa Senator. People still like to speculate about the possibility of Alfie chasing a Cup with another team but it really doesn't sound like Alfredsson has any interest in going that route.
- When you decide to retire from the NHL, will you retire as a member of the Senators, or have you considered playing one last season in the Swedish Elitserien? (Christoffer Olofsson, Stockholm, Sweden – via Facebook)
- I will retire as a Senator. I won’t play in the Swedish league again. There are a few reasons. Once I feel like I’m done in the NHL, I think I’m done because mentally and physically I don’t feel like I can contribute as much as I would like or motivate myself. You know, if you go back to the Swedish league and try to play when you’re not motivated, it’s even worse, because it’s more skating and it’s even harder. So I will retire as an Ottawa Senator.
