Alfredsson (back) told TSN's Darren Dreger that he doesn't intend to play this season, likely spelling the end to his professional hockey career. Alfredsson hasn't directly informed the Red Wings of his decision, but he's expected to do so in the coming days after an injured disc in his back cut his comeback bid short. The longtime Senators forward was one of the best two-way players in the league during the prime of his career, and was effective all the way to the end, leading the Red Wings in scoring last season at age 41. He accumulated 444 goals and 713 assists over his 18 NHL seasons.

Alfredsson (back) will make a decision on whether to retire or return to the Red Wings before the end of November, Louis Jean of TVA Sports reports. Alfredsson has not ruled out playing this year, but with him still dealing with soreness in his back, the report adds he will likely retire if he does not skate with the Red Wings within the near future.

Alfredsson (back) appears increasingly unlikely to play this season, Chris Johnston of Sportsnet reports. Johnston said that a source close to the situation told him last week that Alfredsson's chances of returning were below 50 percent, with the veteran winger experiencing continual problems with his back. He's since scaled back his skating in an effort to regain strength, but it seems as though retirement is starting to look like a more attractive option to Alfredsson. If he fails to show improvement in the coming weeks, expect Alfredsson to make some sort of announcement regarding his future plans.

Alfredsson said Wednesday that he's experienced improvement with his back injury and expects to resume skating soon, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports. Alfredsson will likely increase his activities slowly as he looks to put the persistent back problems behind him. The 41-year-old hasn't indicated definitively that he wants to return to the Red Wings this season, but the team would surely welcome him back if he remains interested. He led the team in scoring last season with 49 points in 68 games, showing he's still got something left in the tank even at his advanced age.

Alfredsson is visiting with back specialists and is not going to training camp with the Red Wings, Helene St. James of The Detroit Free Press reports. With Alfredsson's back ailing, it's looking more and more likely last year may have been his final season. Alfie has said he won't come back unless he's 100 percent, and although he wants to return to Detroit, it remains to be seen whether his body will let him.

Alfredsson (back) suffered a setback while skating last week and will likely enter Red Wings training camp without a contract, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports. Alfredsson, who had been weighing retirement versus playing another season, was skating daily with the Red Wings last week before his back pain resurfaced. While Detroit GM Ken Holland dismissed the injury as the "nothing major," the 41-year-old Alfredsson previously stated he didn't want to return for a 19th NHL season unless he felt he still had something to offer as a lineup regular. He did end up tying for the team lead in scoring with 49 points in 68 games last season, but his desire to return could be lessened if the back pain becomes a chronic issue.

Alfredsson may not make a decision on returning to the NHL for 2014-15 until mid-September and could even come to training camp in Detroit on a tryout, according to Ian Mendes of TSN1200 Ottawa. Alfie had 49 points in 68 games last season, but is 42 and on the downside of a glorious career. The Wings might actually be hoping he retires after Thomas Tatar and Gustav Nyquist stepped up late in the season and will press for more playing time this season.

Veteran forward Daniel Alfredsson, 41, will decide in late August whether to return to the Detroit Red Wings for another season or retire. Alfredsson was plagued by an aching back at several points last regular season and during the playoffs and plans to try and determine next month whether he's healthy enough to endure another season. A futre Hall of Famer who excelled for years with the Senators, Alfredsson produced 41 points in 68 games for Detroit last season, his first away from Ottawa.

Although Daniel Alfredsson has indicated he wants to play this upcoming season, he wants to make sure his body can handle the physical grind as he has ongoing back issues. In that he will turn 42 in December, that probably isn't a bad tact to take. Red Wing GM Ken Holland is not pressurring Alfredsson to confirm his desire to return. "Alfie told me he wants to play again but he'd like to feel better," said Holland. "He feels good but he wants to be tested and he can't be tested until he skates in August and September (during conditioning skates)." There is no worry that Alfredsson will play for another team or that a contract could not be worked out with the Wings. It will be Detroit or the golf course for the veteran in 2014-15.

Daniel Alfredsson is interested in returning for the 2014-15 campaign. That's good news for Detroit as Alfredsson is coming off of a solid season where he scored 18 goals and 49 points in 68 games. He'll turn 42 in December, but should still get around 50 points as long as he can stay relatively healthy.