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Did the Senators low-ball Alfredsson?

Alfredsson

Ottawa Senators’s Daniel Alfredsson talks to reporters in Ottawa, Thursday, May 23, 2013. The Senators trail the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1 in the best-of-seven games series in the Eastern Conference semifinals NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Fred Chartrand)

AP

Is it possible that Daniel Alfredsson’s shocking decision to leave Ottawa after 18 years and sign with Detroit was a matter of disrespect?

It may be the case as Elliotte Friedman of CBC discussed in his story examining what happened between the two sides.

Apparently Alfredsson had always taken less than he was worth through his time in Ottawa and that was something Senators GM Bryan Murray was counting on when he made his offer to the now former captain.

As Friedman put it (rather perfectly) that didn’t sit well with him.

“And sometimes, you feel the team takes advantage of you. When Alfredsson heard his ask was unfair after almost a decade of team-friendly cap hits, he probably powerbombed a Volvo.”

Alfredsson wound up getting a one-year deal with the Red Wings for $5.5 million and Murray was left to talk about Sens owner Eugene Melnyk’s “blank check” offer. As Friedman noted, that likely came after Alfredsson hadn’t spoken with the team for a while.

If the Senators could turn back time, they’d probably like a do-over on how this was handled.