Daniel Alfredsson's "last competitive" might have been Team Sweden's 4-3 defeat to the Czech Republic on Thursday. With that loss, Sweden has been eliminated from the 2012 IIHF World Championship in the Quarterfinals. "I do not know if the power is still there," Alfredsson said. "I think we all feel a cruel disappointment. I felt that this team had the capacity to go all the way." Alfredsson had a goal and seven points in eight games, so the 39-year-old pulled his weight. Alfredsson is expected to make a decision regarding his future in the coming weeks or months.

Daniel Alfredsson's $4.5 million cap hit will count against the Ottawa Senators in 2012-13 even if he retires. That's because Alfredsson agreed to his four-year/$19.5 million contract after he turned 35. However, because the deal was front-loaded, Alfredsson will miss out on $1 million if he retires. That wouldn't exactly be great for the Senators, but it's worth noting that they operated well below the cap in 2011-12 and currently have a ton of space. They want Alfredsson back because he's a team leader and a great player, but if he decides to retire, his cap hit isn't likely to significantly hinder their plans.

Daniel Alfredsson is expected to be around the Ottawa Senators next season, even if he decides to hang up his skates. "One thing we know for sure is that Daniel Alfredsson is going to be here whether he's playing or he's on the bench with me or he's in the office with [GM] Bryan [Murray]," said coach Paul MacLean. "Daniel's going to be here and he's going to be a big part of helping us continue to build this program." He will represent Sweden at the upcoming World Championship tournament and then make his decision afterward. His participation is being viewed as an indicator to MacLean that Alfredsson will be back playing next year, while others believe his presence is just to wear the Tre Kronor one more time before he calls it a career.

Senators owner Eugene Melnyk hasn't spoken to Daniel Alfredsson yet about the star forwards' plans for the future. Alfredsson's contract runs through the 2012-13 campaign, but he hasn't ruled out the possibility of retiring. Melnyk doesn't think it's appropriate for him to talk to Alfredsson about it at this stage, but the Senators owner added that there's "no question we want him back."

Daniel Alfredsson confirmed that he'll play for Sweden in the 2012 IIHF World Championships this summer. As far as what this means for his retirement decision, Bruce Garrioch reports that Alfredsson will make his decision "a couple of weeks" after the tournament. It seems like a positive sign that he's feeling well, but that remains to be seen.

Daniel Alfredsson hasn't decided if he'll hang up his skates or if he'll play out the final season of his contract. The Ottawa Senators' playoff run ended on Thursday with a 2-1 loss to the New York Rangers in Game 7. The question now is if he will end his career. "I will see how I feel physically and mentally after taking some time off," Alfredsson said. "This year has been unbelievable. I've had a lot of fun. It's been great to be part of a great group of guys. They kept me upbeat and happy when I'm a grumpy old man. They've made this year very enjoyable."

Daniel Alfredsson potted the Ottawa Senators' lone goal in their 2-1 Game 7 loss to the New York Rangers on Thursday night. Alfredsson missed three games of the series with a concussion, but ended up with two goals and 15 shots on goal. The Stanley Cup drought will continue for the Sens' captain, who has never won one in his 16-year career - a career that could very well be over with. He has one year remaining at $1 million, in a deal that was front-loaded. Chris Phillips and Sergei Gonchar had the helpers. Unlike most of the series, Chris Neil was a nonfactor in this one. The Sens have still never won a Game 7 in their history.

Daniel Alfredsson will attempt to give the Ottawa Senators their first Game 7 victory in franchise history on Thursday night. "There's no better time than (Thursday)," he said after learning the Senators are 0-for-4 in their past Game 7s. "Every year is different, every group is different. There's so many stats you can pay attention to, but I've said this group has been resilient all year long and we're looking for one more effort here from everybody and if we get that we'll keep playing." The Senators have won two of the three games they have played at Madison Square Garden during the series and they feel that the pressure is on the Rangers as the favorites going into the first-round match-up.

Daniel Alfredsson is among Masterton finalists. Alfredsson had off-season back surgery in order to return for a 16th NHL season. After recording only 34 points in 54 games last season, the 39-year-old went 27-32-59 in 75 matches this season. The goal total marked his highest since he scored 40 in 2007-08. Off-ice endeavors have long endeared him to the community.

Daniel Alfredsson lost his cool in Monday's Game 6 loss to the New York Rangers. He couldn't get off the bench early in the third period and took his frustrations out on his stick and a water bottle. Alfredsson apologized for his behavior after the game. "We didn't start on the power play in the third. I can understand that, too, because we weren't very good," he said. "Then we took a penalty so didn't get on for a while after that. It was a little frustration and I probably should have handled myself better." He posted three shots and logged 18:21 of ice time in his return to the lineup from a concussion. Alfredsson will need to regain his focus for Game 7 back in the Big Apple on Thursday night.