Daniel Alfredsson was hired this week as an associate coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Alfredsson addressed his new role on a video call with reporters on Wednesday, July 8, just a few days after leaving the rival Ottawa Senators.

Toronto's power play finished 15th in the NHL last season at 21.3 percent, even if it improved after assistant coach Marc Savard was replaced by Steve Sullivan. While power play was a major topic during his interview for the coaching role, he plans to build on the team's existing talent.

"One thing I’ve gotten better at in Ottawa, especially with special teams, is all the small structures: faceoffs, winning edge battles, and getting pucks back quickly," he said in the interview as posted by the Leafs' YouTube channel on July 9. "I’ve improved in those areas over the last couple of years, and that’s what I hope to continue develop."

In that case, Alfredsson is counting on his own experience. He served as an assistant coach with Ottawa for parts of the last three seasons, working alongside Jacques Martin and Travis Green while focusing on the team's power play.

Alfredsson's power play in Ottawa was ranked eighth in the NHL last season at 24 per cent. But when they moved on to the playoffs, it quickly died down. He managed to score just one goal on 21 chances as the Senators were defeated by eventual champion Carolina. 

When asked about his coaching approach, he talked about his time as a player and three seasons on Ottawa's bench.

"I played on the power play my whole career," he added. "I think you have to put players in good positions where they can succeed and give them a plan. I personally like to win, and players know how to adjust themselves."

While in Ottawa, Alfredsson developed a deeper understanding of the details that drive an effective power play, including faceoffs, board battles, and breakouts. He said Jim Hiller's offensive philosophy and team values are in line with his own.

Meanwhile, the Toronto opportunity makes Alfredsson prove himself more.

Daniel Alfredsson reunites with Mats Sundin

Alfredsson's move puts an end to the 17-season run with the Senators that started in 1994. This includes his captaincy from 1999 to 2013 and the time he held the franchise records for goals, assists, and points. 

He returned to Ottawa's bench about three seasons ago, but as an assistant coach before his contract expired on June 30.

He first interviewed for Toronto's head coaching vacancy, which opened after Craig Berube was fired in May. But the job went to Hiller. The Leafs then offered him a different role on the staff.

The move reunites Alfredsson with Mats Sundin, who was his longtime rival, now a Leafs senior advisor. 

"We kept in touch, but we don't live near each other in Sweden," he said in the same interview. "We haven't talked a lot about the past, to be honest, but obviously, I think it's great that Mats is involved again. I think he has so much to bring, leadership, experience."

Sundin and Alfredsson may have been rivals in the NHL, but they teamed up to win a gold medal for Sweden at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.

What do you think of Alfredsson's addition to the Leafs' roster? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Aadhya Nalla

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar