See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source Observers at the first day of Maple Leafs camp would have been excused for doing a double-take. We’ve had a few months to prepare for seeing Daniel Alfredsson in a blue-and-white Leafs outfit, but it was still a bit bizarre as the club’s new associate coach hit the ice at the Ford Performance Centre on Thursday.
Alfredsson, had to make a quick switch in allegiances in the Battle of Ontario when the Leafs hired him in July after his Hall of Fame career with the Ottawa Senators was followed by several off-ice roles with the Sens. For the past three seasons, Alfredsson was an assistant coach in Ottawa.
“It’s different, but it’s exciting,” Leafs centre John Tavares said with a smile. “Heck of a career, hell of a competitor.
“Really excited to learn from him and have him impact the group in a lot of ways. He didn’t play very long ago (Alfredsson’s last year was 2013-14 with the Detroit Red Wings), but hasn’t played in a few years.
“There’s a good balance of being well-connected to the players and how we feel. But also, he’d probably tell you, and I’ve heard this from other guys that I played with that have been out of the league, you gain a different perspective, maybe a little bit better in a few different ways.” What did William Nylander say?
For William Nylander, working with Alfredsson and fellow Swedish great Mats Sundin is a nice bonus. “ I t’s pretty crazy, actually, to be honest, to be seeing two Swedish legends every day,” Nylander said.
“I was shocked (when Alfredsson was hired). “We have a mutual friend in common, and he never said anything about it, so it came as a complete shock.
I’m very happy that happened.” tkoshan@postmedia.com X: @koshtorontosun Gavin McKenna on John Tavares' line as Maple Leafs open training camp How Morgan Rielly's illness could change training camp plans for Leafs
