Paul Bissonnette believes Daniel Alfredsson’s decision to join the Toronto Maple Leafs is a painful moment for Ottawa Senators fans. What makes the situation more difficult to process is that it happened shortly after captain Brady Tkachuk left the organization.
The former NHL forward reacted after Toronto hired Alfredsson as associate coach on July 7, following his three seasons behind Ottawa’s bench.
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Speaking on the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast, Bissonnette questioned how the move would be viewed across the rivalry. He said, “It’s hard to dump on somebody when they’re down. But my God, your top two or three guys, if not, like you (Whitney) said, the top guy in the Ring of Honour, other than maybe Chris Neil.”
Bissonnette then added, “He just jumped ship and goes to your arch-nemesis. I don’t know. This is the low of the low for the Ottawa Senators.”
Alfredsson spent 17 seasons with Ottawa and remains the franchise’s all-time leader in goals, assists and points. He recorded 426 goals, 682 assists and 1,108 points across 1,178 games with the Senators.
His No. 11 jersey was retired in 2016, and he entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2022. Before joining Toronto, he also helped Sweden as an assistant coach at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The Senators reached the playoffs with 99 points last season before suffering a first-round sweep at the hands of the eventual champion Carolina Hurricanes. Toronto endured a far different campaign, finishing last in the Atlantic Division with 78 points before reshaping its organization.
Ottawa icon joins a longtime rival Maple Leafs
Daniel Alfredsson speaks to the media at Canadian Tire Centre where he announced that he would be retiring. | Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Ryan Whitney admitted the coaching move caught him completely by surprise. He said, “Daniel Alfredsson, I would say the most popular, biggest legend in the history of the Ottawa Senators, is now working for the Toronto Maple Leafs.”
Whitney compared the situation to another iconic rivalry. “It would be P.K. Subban going to work for the Bruins. If he’d been working for Montreal.”
Meanwhile, Ottawa owner Michael Andlauer publicly supported Alfredsson, despite the rivalry.
He said, “While I wish he wasn’t joining an arch-rival, Alfie is forever an Ottawa Senator and the door will always be open for his return. He has done so much for our organization and community, and he has my full respect.”
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The move reflects Alfredsson’s coaching ambitions more than his playing legacy. Toronto offers another opportunity under new coach Jim Hiller, while longtime friend Mats Sundin remains part of the organization.
Still, for Senators supporters, seeing their greatest player wearing Maple Leafs colors will remain difficult to accept.