Based on everything we have heard this summer, Alfredsson is progressing as expected and should be ready to go when the season kicks off in a little more than a month.
For the first time, I think we'll begin to see a slightly diminished role for the Captain. He's still going to see a regular shift in the Top 6 and will be a mainstay on the power play but I think we'll begin to see his role on the PK reduced. He is still an effective penalty killer but MacLean has to do what he can to keep Alfie fresh.
At 38, Alfredsson can't be Mr. Everything for this team game in, game out.
With that said, I expect a bounce back year from the Captain. Health will obviously be the key here but if he can stay in the line up, he should be among the team's leading scorers.
With the All Star Game in Ottawa this year, I expect Alfie to be front and centre in those festivities. Should the NHL continue with the Team Captain format, you can guarantee a healthy Alfredsson would be given the opportunity to take part.
Much like Filatov, offensive numbers will depend on whether or not Alfie has the chance to play with Spezza on a regular basis. I think we'll see Butler get a chance up there early on but if he falters, Alfredsson is the next in line.
The Captain is just 11 goals away from 400 on his career and should hit that milestone this season. The days of 100 point seasons are behind him but Alfie can still be a productive offensive player.
2011/2012 PROJECTION- 68 GP 25 G 32 A 57 PTS
The problem he's had recently is that he can't get any separation from checkers when he's had the puck. If that is resolved, I don't think 70 points is beyond the realm of possibility.
My only hope is if he is 80% in a month that he stay out until he is 100%, there is no rush.
Healthy he will continue to wow us.
I don't think Alfredsson will ever play like he is 'old'. But it will be the injuries that decide how much longer he can play.
70 pt season for Alfie seems reasonable to me.
Teemu Selanne is a better scorer than Alfie ever was.
Unless Alfie's weaker shot the last few years can be blamed on this problem he had surgery for, I don't think we can expect a return to his old production. I would say somewhere around 20 goals, 30 assists in about 65 games. Chirp's prediction sounds like the right ballpark to me.
I didn't mean he IS Teemu, I meant that he will continue to play like an elite forward that is "old". Teemu continues to wow me at his age and last season Alfie still wowed me more than once, I don't see him slowing down any time soon.
The only diminished role I think for him is he should now be playing on the 2nd line.
If he's on the 2nd line my prediction would be lower. Without even knowing who that 2nd line C is going to be it would be hard to predict ~a point per game pace from the 2nd line.
Can the first line be effective with Spezza - Filatov - Butler against the best lines in the league? That would be the issue with that scenario.
I just hope Alfie can wear some padded protection on his back as you know some cheap shot artist will be ready for a dirty crosscheck in the back... something like Beauchemin did a few years ago when he cracked one of Alfie's vertebrae. That's my fear... there are a lot of cheapshot artists in this league... no respect for other players. They will hit the 'weak spot' just to take them out.
Alfie can do anything!
Optimistic? Yeh. Unrealistic? Probably.
But I'm a fan and a die-hard Alfie supporter. Are you?
http://twitter.com/mirtle - Interesting to look at parallels with how Detroit built with Swedes 20 years ago and what Ottawa's doing now. Trying to find hidden gems.
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