10 Reasons Daniel Alfredsson to the Maple Leafs Makes Sense

Elsa/Getty Images

Last month, B/R Featured Columnist Joseph DeLuca speculated about the Toronto Maple Leafs being a possible destination for Daniel Alfredsson.

Perhaps even the idea of Alfredsson donning a Maple Leafs jersey would make some diehard Leafs fans nauseated to no end.

Besides Alfredsson's no-trade clause and $4.9 million cap hit—as if those two factors wouldn't be enough—the sheer idea of him coming to play for the Maple Leafs after playing his entire NHL career for the Sens even makes me giddy with rage.  

Before we grab our pitchforks and torches, let's just take a few deep cleansing breaths and consider what that could actually mean for the Leafs and their devoted fans alike.

Could it actually make sense to bring this long-time Senator to Toronto?

Skilled Veteran

Daniel Alfredsson January 20, 2011 against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Daniel Alfredsson is a two-time 40-goal scorer and has 45 or more assists in nine seasons. He's turning 40 on Dec. 11, but is still a strong and dynamic player.

No doubt, he may only have one or two more seasons left in him, but he is still one of the most skilled players in the game with the stats to back it up.

Rise Above the Rebuild

Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images

The Ottawa Senators are a rebuilding team that were not projected to compete for a playoff spot this year.

Their potential for success is still yet to be determined but even if they do squeak into the postseason, the likelihood of them making a legitimate run at the Stanley Cup anytime soon is slim to nil—certainly not before Daniel Alfredsson retires.

Moving Alfredsson out of Ottawa would allow him the potential to cap off a very successful career with the shot at the Cup.

The Leafs are still considered by many to be a "bubble team" when talking about the playoffs—likely to finish the season somewhere between seventh and 10th in the Eastern Conference.

It may be too premature to talk about Cup contention this season, but in reality the Leafs may only be one or two players away from being in the mix.

Local Boy (Kind Of)

Daniel Alfredsson with his family on April 10, 2010 before a game against the Buffalo Sabres.
Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images

Daniel Alfredsson has played his whole career in Ontario. He was drafted to the Ottawa Senators in 1994 in the sixth round (133rd overall).

His family has deep roots in the area and it would make sense to avoid uprooting for his last couple of NHL seasons.

Toronto is just a hop, skip and a jump from where he has spent the last 18 years of his professional career.

Age Before Beauty

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Daniel Alfredsson could play a role in mentoring a young Leafs team. 

He is a natural leader and captained the Ottawa Senators for the last 12 years en route to 13 playoff appearances and one trip to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Alfredsson's experience as a successful, long-time NHLer could go a long way to help the budding Blue and White stars of tomorrow.

All-Star Top Line

Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images

Daniel Alfredsson could play on the top line with Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul.

This would bump Tyler Bozak back to third-line duties but ensure balanced scoring throughout the Toronto Maple Leafs' top nine forwards.

The combination of Lupul and Kessel flanking the experienced centerman could prove to be an incredibly potent first unit and add even more punch to an already offensively dangerous club.  

Power Playmaker

Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images

Daniel Alfredsson could add another layer of depth to the Toronto Maple Leafs power play.

He has 122 career power-play goals and has been on ice for 582.

Alfredsson's achievements with the man advantage have been more than significant over his career and he could enhance Toronto's already-improving success rate.

Variety Is the Spice of Life

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

Right now you might be saying to yourself, "Hmmm, what if Daniel Alfredsson did become a Maple Leaf?" or, "That's an interesting concept, but what did you put in your coffee this morning to think that's even a remote possibility?!"

As popularized by Dan Meredith (former SMU and Dallas Cowboys quarterback and Monday Night Football announcer), "If 'ifs' and 'buts' were candy and nuts, we'd all have a merry Christmas."

Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities on the planet. Unfortunately, the Maple Leafs have lost their Swedish demographic so adding Alfie would fill the void left by Mats Sundin.

Besides, who doesn't enjoy a little ginger during the holiday season?

The Ultimate Revenge

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

He would be able to get under the skin of every Maple Leafs fan who endured the bitter Leafs/Sens rivalry through the '90s and into the 21st century.

Imagine as a Leafs fan—if you will—having to watch Daniel Alfredsson every single game, wearing the beloved blue and white. Such unrelenting psychological torture surely knows no bounds. 

The Leafs are to the Sens' playoff success as kryptonite is to Superman.

Maybe Alfredsson would jump ship in favour of boarding the "S.S. Maple Leaf"—after all, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

Apocalypse Now

Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images

For those of you who are fatalists and/or looking for signs of the end times, this might very well be just what you need to strengthen your convictions that the world is going to hell in a handbasket.

Coming right before the four horsemen of the apocalypse, it would make sense for God to punish Leafs fans just one more time with a trade that would bring to Toronto such a long-standing and despised rival.

"Are You Saying Boo or Boo-Urns?"

Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images

As Leafs fans, we could boo him even more than we already do during all 41 home games! Surely that alone is worth the price of admission.

Let's face the music—Daniel Alfredsson will never be a popular character here in Toronto.

Any trade scenario that would bring this guy to the Maple Leafs is probably as convoluted and conflicted as the pantless, basement-dwelling blogger who created the rumor to begin with.