If you're expecting Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson to make a decision about retirement anytime soon, you're out of luck. He admitted that the process "hasn't really started yet," during Friday's conference call related to winning the 2013 Mark Messier Leadership Award. Alfredsson had a solid regular season but really turned things on in the playoffs, scoring 10 points in 10 postseason games.

The 2013 Mark Messier Leadership Award has gone to Daniel Alfredsson. Kings captain Dustin Brown and Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews were the other nominees. Alfredsson is the longest serving active captain in the league, although it remains to be seen if he'll decide to come back for the 2013-14 campaign. Alfredsson's contract has expired and while Ottawa would love to re-sign him, Alfredsson wanted to take some time before deciding what to do next.

Daniel Alfredsson hasn't decided on his future yet, but he still feels capable of contributing. Alfredsson also still enjoys the game, so it sounds like the only thing that might lead him to retiring is his family. "I find the travel really tough, with four young kids at home," Alfredsson said. "And that's kind of what I struggle with, personally. Obviously, I will talk to my wife, to (general manager Bryan Murray), to (coach Paul MacLean), to see what they think." He reiterated that he will take some time before coming to a decision. It's a very safe bet that the Senators will jump at the chance to re-sign him if he wants to continue his career.

It is too early to determine if Daniel Alfredsson has played his last NHL game. He told the media before the Senators were eliminated by the Penguins Friday night that he still loved to be at the rink but that he did not appreciate the time he spends away from his young children."It's tough. It is. They [his children] enjoy me playing and watching games but for me personally, being away, missing a lot of stuff, it doesn't get easier", said Alfredsson. "I've had a lot of moments when it's been a lot of fun, there's no question. I thoroughly enjoy my job; I love what I do. But I can't say I enjoy every moment of it because I find the travel to be extremely tough. With a young family at home and time away, it doesn't get easier. But when I'm at the rink, I still enjoy what I do." We will monitor the Sens captain's decision about whether he continues his NHL career over the coming months.

Daniel Alfredsson feels his comment about the Senators not being able to rally from a 3-1 series deficit against Pittsburgh was taken out of context. "Maybe I should have continued right away where I left off in my answer," he said. "I don't doubt for one second that we'll come out with a great effort (Friday night). It sounds like I had given up. If you ask anyone and they look at our series, I don't think there are too many people that would pick us right now. That's what I meant. We're still in the playoffs. It doesn't matter to me which way it's looked at. The guys in this room know enough about me. I believe in these guys ... I'm not going to change anything in how it's said. It's obvious to me that we're in tough." Anyone who said Alfredsson had given up went a little overboard, but he clearly understands that the Senators have their backs against the wall against a talented team.

Daniel Alfredsson isn't confident that Ottawa can come back from a 3-1 series deficit against Pittsburgh. When he was asked if the Senators can win three straight games over the Penguins he said, "Probably not. I mean, with their depth and power play right now, it doesn't look too good for us." He believes the team will try their hardest in Game 5 Friday night back in Pittsburgh, but he was clearly dejected by Wednesday's 7-3 defeat. Alfredsson has generated two goals and two assists in his past three games and he'll need to shoulder the load again if Ottawa is going to extend their playoff run.

Daniel Alfredsson had a goal and an assist in Ottawa's 7-3 loss Wednesday. Alfredsson has now recorded 100 career playoff points. Milan Michalek and Kyle Turris accounted for Ottawa's other two goals. Erik Karlsson registered his sixth and seventh assists of the postseason. Chris Neil, Andre Benoit, and Jakob Silfverberg each had an assist for Ottawa. Neil also recorded a team-high seven hits. Chris Phillips led the Senators with five blocked shots.

Daniel Alfredsson has been tabbed as a finalist for the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award. He is the league's longest-serving active captain and he's involved in several charities in Ottawa, including the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa which he has supported for the past 10 seasons.

Daniel Alfredsson potted the game-tying goal with 28.6 seconds left in regulation to force overtime in Game 3 Sunday night. The Senators ended up winning the contest in double overtime to get back into the series, where they trail Pittsburgh 2-1. Alfredsson's third goal of the playoffs came shorthanded when the Penguins chose to play passive and defend rather than attack. The Ottawa captain has eight points in eight postseason contests.

Daniel Alfredsson recorded his second power-play goal of the series in Ottawa's Game 5 win over Montreal Thursday night. The 40-year-old veteran has looked great in the playoffs so far. He racked up six points in five games during the Senators' opening round series victory over the Canadiens.