Report: Senators working to bring Alfredsson retirement announcement to Ottawa

If iconic Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson is going to retire from professional hockey, it makes sense that the team would prefer to see the official announcement take place in Ottawa.

This week it's become apparent that Alfredsson, most recently of the Detroit Red Wings, is set to hang up his skates. It was reported by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman on Friday that an official announcement could come as soon as Monday.

Friedman amended that report on Saturday night, and suggested that the Senators will push Alfredsson to make the announcement in Ottawa.

"I think the Ottawa Senators are working to have the announcement done in the Nation's capital so everything can finish the way it should've ... " Friedman reported during a second period intermission segment on Sportsnet.

Added Friedman in a blog post from Sportsnet.ca:

As news broke that he wouldn’t play this season, several sources said some variation of, “He will announce this on his terms.” A few added they thought it got out because Ottawa is in Detroit on Monday, and he was considering that time to let everyone know.

Now, word is the Senators’ organization wants to bring back Alfredsson for the special goodbye that avoided everyone 16 months ago. So, this may take a little longer, as Ottawa goes on a road trip after Saturday afternoon’s matinee. 

TSN.ca's Ian Mendes also suggested that some type of deal between the Senators and Alfredsson was in the works Saturday:

There is a growing sense that Alfredsson's retirement announcement will happen here in Ottawa - where his career started and where it was always meant to end. (Eugene) Melnyk and the key stakeholders with the Senators were well aware that if Daniel Alfredsson is going to announce his retirement, their organization should be involved.
 
There is too much at stake here for this announcement not to happen in Ottawa. This is the first "legacy" player for the Senators and considering the franchise is still in its infancy, this is a significant moment. 

Mendes goes on to suggest that Alfredsson may sign a one-day contract so that he can retire as a member of the Senators.

So maybe you can go home again.