'What a painful summer': Ottawa Senators fans bemoan Daniel Alfredsson's move to Maple Leafs

2 hours ago 14

We compiled the best reactions on 'X' from hockey reporters and fans following Alfie's bizarre decision to head to the Senators' bitter rival.

Published Jul 07, 2026

1 minute read

Article content

As if Ottawa Senators fans hadn’t been kicked in the shins enough this off-season.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Unlimited digital access to the Ottawa Citizen.
Analysis on all things Ottawa by Bruce Deachman,David Pugliese, and others, award-winning newsletters and virtual events.
Opportunity to engage with our commenting community.
Ottawa Citizen ePaper.
Ottawa Citizen App.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Exclusive articles from David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office.
Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account.
Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
Support local journalism.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
Enjoy additional articles per month.
Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
Enjoy additional articles per month
Get email updates from your favourite authors

Sign In or Create an Account

Article content

Seemingly out of nowhere, Sens legend Daniel Alfredsson, who had been an assistant coach in Ottawa for the past two and a half seasons, jumped ship Tuesday to join the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Article content

Alfredsson, surely coaxed by Maple Leafs senior executive advisor of hockey operations and fellow Swede Mats Sundin to sign in The Big Smoke, will be an associate coach for the team he battled with the most during his 18-season NHL career.

Article content

There’s no two ways about it: This is a bleak day in Senators history.

Article content

Daniel Alfredsson is playing keep away with my happiness

— Steve On Sens 🇨🇦 (@SteveOnSens) July 7, 2026

Article content

I’ve been Captain Cope this summer but I can’t find a positive spin for Alfie going to Toronto. This sucks.

— Jack Richardson (@jackrichrdson) July 7, 2026

Advertisement 1

Advertisement 2

Article content

I will say it's kind of depressing not being able to have dreams of Alfie lifting a Cup as a Senator

— Kevin Lee (@BringBackLee) July 7, 2026

Article content

Some fans plainly did not understand the decision.

Article content

I understand if Alfie was hungry for a head coaching position and did not see a path here to it but the “he left for a promotion guys” stuff is a little silly. Saying someone is an “Associate” coach vs “Assistant” coach is Assistant to the Regional Manager nitpicking.

— Tyler Ray (@DefenseMinister) July 7, 2026

Article content

This is like Ronald McDonald leaving and joining Burger King

— Benjamin Milks (@brian5or6) July 7, 2026

Article content

Some demanded drastic measures.

Article content

I'm afraid the banner comes down until he is inevitably fired from this job.

— SensChirp (@SensChirp) July 7, 2026

Article content

Beautiful Day is hereby banned at the CTC.

— Tyler (@politicstcan) July 7, 2026

Article content

But mostly, it was a mournful afternoon.

Article content

Can we just have one normal day of being a Sens fan

— Margaret O’Toole (@OToole_19) July 7, 2026

Article content

I genuinely believe the #Sens will be a good team next season, but what a painful summer damn

— SensCentral (@SensCentral) July 7, 2026

Article content

I actually can't with this Alfie news. Like the Leafs? He knows how uncool that is. God has fallen. Praise Alfie no more.

Devastating day.

— Nick Spence (@WhiskeyNick95) July 7, 2026

Article content

Just hours before the announcement, Alfie received a commemorative coin from Ottawa mayor Mark Sutcliffe for his contributions to the city.

Article content

A number of fans dealt with the news shockingly well.

Article content

I’m honestly completely unbothered by Alfie going to the Leafs

It was never going to be pretty one day if he had to be fired so it’s best he moved on

Our powerplay was also so brutal to watch

— Timmy’s Sens (@TimmysSens) July 7, 2026

Article content

Some even drew up conspiracy theories.

Article content

How about a trip down Memory Lane?

Article content

They used to mock up a graphic of Alfie as Krusty the Clown on the scoreboard at the ACC to fire up the crowd. It even appeared at the odd Raptors game a al the Potvin sucks chants at MSG at Knicks games.

— Steve Lloyd (@TSNSteveLloyd) July 7, 2026

Article content

Meanwhile, the Senators made an attempt to shift the focus to Claude Giroux’s one-year contract extension.

Article content

And for some fans’ mental health, perhaps denial is the best stage for now.

Article content

And nothing else happened today!! YIPPEE!!!!

— Tyler (@politicstcan) July 7, 2026

*** Disclaimer: This Article is auto-aggregated by a Rss Api Program and has not been created or edited by Bdtype.

(Note: This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News Rss Api. News.bdtype.com Staff may not have modified or edited the content body.

Please visit the Source Website that deserves the credit and responsibility for creating this content.)

Watch Live | Source Article