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.