Recovery from concussion: Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson remains day-to-day-NHL News
The return of Daniel Alfredsson from a head injury remains uncertain after Ottawa Senators’ captain missed second game straight on Wednesday, April 18, 2012.
Alfredsson suffered a concussion in the Game 2 of the Eastern Conference playoff quarterfinals and has not played a tie since then.
He sat out of the team’s Wednesday morning skate and training and his absence from the evening game looked to be inevitable.
With miss of the Game 4 against the New York Rangers, there is a growing concern for the player’s recovery and comeback.
Although the team has not said anything in detail with regard to his ongoing recovery and rehab, Senators’ coach, Paul MacLean, said the player was day-to-day decision.
He admitted:
“At this time there is no update and no change.”
Meanwhile, a couple of teammates have said to be feeling absence of the captain from the squad given that he had the central role to play in the team’s performance and victories.
Centre, Jason Spezza, said:
“When you have a player of his calibre out, you need other people to step up. We’re obviously a better team with him in the lineup. It’s a good opportunity for other guys to make an impact.”
Alfredsson’s injury came with a hit of an elbow to the head from New York Rangers’ winger, Carl Hagelin, in the Game 2 of the playoff series, which was played at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, April 14, 2012.
Hagelin has been penalised by the NHL and currently is serving a three-game suspension. He still has to sit out another game to complete the punishment.
Senators, in the meantime, are having some difficulties to bring in a replacement for Alfredsson. First option is winger, Bobby Butler, but it is unclear if the team is going to stick to him with a permanent role. It could be reflective from their move of
Mike Hoffman’s call-up.
The lingering uncertainty around the recovery and return of Alfredsson makes it even more difficult for the managers to settle down with their decision about the captain’s replacement.
Ottawa Senators are tied with Rangers with two wins each and have three more games to play in the playoff series.
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