What Happened
Daniel Alfredsson will coach against the Ottawa Senators for the first time since joining the Toronto Maple Leafs as an associate coach this off-season. The two teams meet Saturday at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+. Alfredsson, 53, spent the previous three seasons as an assistant coach in Ottawa. He works in Toronto under special executive adviser Mats Sundin, a former Maple Leafs captain.
Key Details
- Alfredsson joined Toronto as an associate coach this off-season after three seasons as an Ottawa assistant.
- He works under special executive adviser Mats Sundin.
- First game against Ottawa as a Maple Leaf is Saturday at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
- Alfredsson, 53, said he made amends with former Leafs winger Darcy Tucker.
- He said he met Maple Leafs alumni at a recent golf tournament and keeps in touch with Senators colleagues.
What It Means
Alfredsson's move crosses the Battle of Ontario divide after a long run in Ottawa, where he became a franchise icon. His history with Toronto included on-ice incidents against Mats Sundin and Darcy Tucker, and he said those relationships have since been repaired. Working under Sundin, now a special executive adviser, adds another link between the two organizations.
What's Next
Saturday's game is Alfredsson's first against the Senators since changing benches. He said he continues to stay in touch with colleagues from his time in Ottawa.