Toronto Maple Leafs associate coach Daniel Alfredsson met with reporters over Zoom on Wednesday, to discuss his new appointment. Alfredsson joined Toronto’s coaching staff on Tuesday, where he will be joined by John Gruden and Brad Werenka.

It was certainly a bit of a surprise, as Alfredsson is the greatest player in Ottawa’s history and was rivals with Mats Sundin during his playing career. Sundin was appointed as senior advisor to hockey operations this summer, where he leads the team’s braintrust alongside general manager John Chayka.

“I understand this is an interesting day, but also an exciting chapter for me as I expand my coaching career, and really looking forward to joining (head coach Jim Hiller) and his coaching staff and be part of Toronto,” Alfredsson said during his opening remarks, where he addressed Ottawa’s fan base.

Alfredsson was widely credited with overseeing Ottawa’s power play last season. He’ll be armed with some of the best offensive weapons in hockey, where Auston Matthews, William Nylander and rookie Gavin McKenna will look to galvanize a Maple Leafs unit that was wildly inconsistent during the 2025-26 campaign.

“Yeah, talking to Jim (Hiller) he’s a power play coach as well,” Alfredsson said about Toronto’s power play. “That was part of the interview. You know, I think they had some really good times last year on the power play and some tough ones as well. Probably lost their confidence a little bit, but they have a lot of the tools to be a good power play and a good offensive team as well. A lot of skill, guys that can shoot the puck. I look forward to working with them and seeing what we can accomplish.”

Alfredsson revealed that he interviewed for Toronto’s head coaching vacancy, but wanted to join the organization, after the job went to Hiller. The 53-year-old made it clear that he was looking for a new challenge in his coaching career, and remaining stagnant with the Senators would be a disservice to this aim.

“I’m sure in in my dreams, would I have loved to stay and then become the head coach of Ottawa? Maybe. You know, nobody stays as a coach forever in one spot, no matter how popular you are. You got to perform.”

Although it was widely believed that Sundin played a major part in Alfredsson’s recruitment, it’s apparent that Toronto’s star power, championship aspirations and an avenue to develop his coaching career, made the Maple Leafs an ideal destination.

“We kept in touch,” Alfredsson said of Sundin. “We don’t live near each other in Sweden. We haven’t talked a lot about the past, to be honest, but obviously I think it’s great Mats is involved again. I think he has so much to bring, leadership, experience.”

We’re past the cognitive dissonance stage. Welcome aboard to Toronto, Daniel.

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