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Senators owner would ‘bet’ on Alfredsson’s jersey being retired

Daniel Alfredsson

So far, Ottawa’s reaction to Daniel Alfredsson’s return seems mostly positive, though definitely mixed (more on that later). Senators owner Eugene Melnyk acknowledges his legacy, for one.

Melnyk told TSN that he’d “bet” on Alfredsson’s No. 11 jersey being retired in Ottawa, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.

Maybe the two sides parted ways under slightly controversial terms, but the 40-year-old played 1,178 regular season and 121 postseason games with the franchise. It would probably be foolish to bet against Alfredsson’s sweater hanging in the rafters.

Obviously, “Alf” has plenty of hockey left to play before that decision is officially made. That includes tonight’s emotional return to Ottawa.

The present awkwardness vs. future embrace might be best shown in Melnyk: he predicts Alfredsson’s number will be retired yet the Toronto Star’s Damien Cox points out that he skipped tonight’s game.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins