A concussion has taken out one of the Ottawa Senators' most well-known players, casting Daniel Alfredsson's future into doubt.
The team captain said he doesn't know when he'll return from a concussion he suffered on Saturday against the New York Rangers.
"I don't have headaches . . . at times during the day I feel great," he said as he addressed the media for the first time Thursday. "If I exert myself with the kids at home . . . I feel dizzy."
At 38, this injury could be very serious for the team's leader, coming in a year of head shots that's claimed Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby, New York Rangers defenceman Marc Staal and possibly Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer.
"The window of opportunity for (Alfredsson) to get back and get healthy is a lot smaller" than the 24-year-old Crosby's, said CTV Ottawa sports director Terry Marcotte.
"I think something has to be done," said Senators forward Zenon Konopka. "The best player in the world is out with a similar hit . . . some kind of stance has to be made."
There has been no talk of retirement, and this is Alfredsson's first diagnosed concussion, but he said he's avoiding all physical exertion right now.
"I feel different," he said.
Doctors said even mild symptoms can last a while.
"Maybe as little as several days or up to several months," said Dr. John Sinclair with the Ottawa Hospital. "Some patients who have post-concussive symptoms can see them last multiple months and I think Sidney Crosby is a very good example of that."
Fans said they hope "Alfie" will be back.
"Sometimes an injury like that will make the team stronger," said one. "Hopefully that's not the case because Alfie's a big part of the team and a big part of the community."
With reports from CTV Ottawa's Graham Richardson, Terry Marcotte and Ariel Hartman
