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If Alfredsson plays next season, he says it would probably be with Detroit

Detroit Red Wings v Boston Bruins - Game Two

of the Detroit Red Wings of the Boston Bruins during the game at TD Garden on April 20, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Jared Wickerham

Daniel Alfredsson’s first season with the Detroit Red Wings ended on Saturday with mixed results; we’ll have to wait and see if he’ll get another crack at it.

He told reporters that he isn’t sure if this will be his last season in the NHL, but if he’s back, he made this clear: he’ll likely do so in a Red Wings uniform.

Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock backed up Alfredsson’s assertion that he’ll need more time, noting the importance of health for veteran players.

The 41-year-old played well when he could during the regular season, managing to score 18 goals and 49 points in 68 games. Perhaps injuries (and the Boston Bruins defense) really caught up with him during the postseason, however, as he was held pointless and limited to three games.

Babcock spoke of big changes after the Red Wings were ousted, yet he also praised the team’s veteran players, so it’s difficult to tell if Alfresson would call his shot regarding returning to Detroit (if he doesn’t retire). If nothing else, it seems like Alfredsson enjoyed at least one season with many fellow Swedes in “Hockeytown.”

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins