As we turn the page on the TGOR Nation Blog and begin devoting this space entirely to Sens blather (something I was mostly doing anyway), I have deep concerns for the captain for whom this blog is named. Oh, captain my captain...Daniel Alfredsson, who had targeted next week for his return from a nagging back injury, has pushed his timetable back at least several more weeks. Alfredsson's season could be over.
With the Senators languishing in the basement of the Eastern Conference, coach Cory Clouston says there’s no need to hurry his 38-year-old star's return from a back problem that has bothered him all season.
No there isn’t. But I’ll take it one step further. Maybe Alfredsson retires at the end of the season (pause here for shock and horror). Sad it sounds, the guy has to at least be thinking about it.
Try to step inside Alfie’s head for a moment. You’re 38. Money-wise, you, your kids and your grandkids are more than set for life. Your passions are golf and hunting. But your back is a mess right now. You hope to return next season to lead the team you’ve spent your entire career with, but for what? The team is now in a rebuild that will last at least two years.
I cannot imagine any scenario where Alfie isn’t thinking about retirement right now. Done. End of season. Given his current circumstances, wouldn’t you be?
I had similar thoughts back in 1999 around this time of the year, wondering if Wayne Gretzky wasn’t thinking about it. He was 38, dealing with neck problems at the time. Sure enough, he packed it in a few months later too.
Hey, once you make your money, hit your late 30’s and start dealing with injuries that are chronic, even the fiercest competitors can be forced to the sideline. That said, I naturally hope my Spidey senses are way off base.
