- Daniel Alfredsson faces the Senators for the first time as a Maple Leafs associate coach
- The Ottawa legend joked about where things stand with old rival Darcy Tucker
- Read below for his comments and the full pregame video
Daniel Alfredsson has officially buried the hatchet with Darcy Tucker.
The Maple Leafs associate coach was asked Saturday morning whether he and his old Battle of Ontario nemesis had made amends. He couldn’t keep a straight face.
“We kissed and made up,” Alfredsson said, laughing. “Ran into quite a few of (the former Maple Leafs) at the Leafs alumni golf tournament. Darcy played in the group in front of me.”
Asked if he hit into Tucker’s group, Alfredsson had a quick answer: “He was too far ahead.”
Watch Alfredsson’s full pregame media availability:
Saturday marks the first time Toronto plays Ottawa in the regular season since Alfredsson joined Jim Hiller’s staff in July. He spent 17 seasons with the Senators and was the first player to have his number retired by the franchise.
His message to his old team was short.
“I wish them the best,” the 53-year-old said. “And wish us a bit better.”
That Tucker line lands because of 2002. Late in Game 5 of the second round, Alfredsson drove Tucker into the boards from behind with no call, then scored the winning goal seconds later.
Take a look at the hit:
Two years later, he mocked Mats Sundin by pretending to chuck his stick into the stands in Toronto. Sundin had been suspended for doing exactly that in the previous game. Toronto still won all four playoff series between the teams from 2000 to 2004.
Leafs fans have moved on too. They gave Alfredsson a big ovation before Tuesday’s opener, a 3-2 loss to Montreal.
He talked about getting recognized around his new city.
“I thought I would be more incognito in the city, but they still remember my face, some of them,” Alfredsson said. “So, I love it. I do.”
Hiller has handed him the power play. The head coach was asked about Alfredsson’s commitment to coaching.
“He has the financial freedom not to have to do that,” Hiller said. “So, it’s a personal choice, and he’s shown a commitment to that.”
The bigger night comes Jan. 20, when the Leafs visit Canadian Tire Centre and Alfredsson stands behind the visiting bench under his own No. 11 banner. He’s still Ottawa’s all-time leading scorer with 1,108 points in 1,178 games.
“It’ll be emotional,” he said.
