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Wednesday, November 24, 1999
Alfie aims to return in 2 weeks
Senators winger Daniel Alfredsson says progress on his injured knee is going so well that he plans to return to the lineup ahead of schedule.
Speaking after practice yesterday at the Corel Centre, Alfredsson guessed he could return to game action "within two weeks" if his torn MCL continues to heal at its current pace.
"I skated 45 minutes this morning before practice, and it felt good," he said.
Alfredsson injured the knee Oct. 21 during a game against Colorado at the Corel Centre and has missed a dozen games. He was originally scheduled to miss 8-10 weeks, but the shelf time would be cut to seven weeks if Alfredsson can keep to his updated timetable.
The Senators could use Alfredsson's production on offence immediately because the team is mired in a slump of four losses in its last five games. The Senators scored just one goal in each of the four defeats.
Alfredsson said it's tough to watch as his teammates go through a rough patch, but denied his quicker-than-anticipated recovery has anything to do with the slump.
WON'T RUSH IT
"I wish I could be there helping them," he said. "But the way the injury is, I'm not going to make anything force me back quickly.
"I'm going to make sure it's 100%, otherwise I won't be able to play my game and contribute the way I want. It's still early in the season and you don't want to put anything in jeopardy."
The speedy rehabilitation has more to do with Alfredsson's fitness level, and the exercises trainer Kevin Wagner and strength coach Randy Lee have developed for him. Alfredsson is spending close to three hours in the gym every day.
"When you're in good shape, it makes everything easier when you're coming back," he said.
Last week, Alfredsson skated for the first time since the injury. Yesterday was the first time he participated in a team practice.
Coach Jacques Martin said a player with an injury like Alfredsson's usually spends three weeks practising and skating before returning to the lineup.
If Alfredsson returns within the next two weeks, he could be in the lineup for Ottawa's home game against Dallas Dec. 4, or in Buffalo against the Sabres Dec. 8.
Before the injury, Alfredsson had gotten off to a solid start to the season, tallying eight points in eight games.
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