  Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson will have knee surgery today to remove a bone chip. (SUN MEDIA file photo)
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Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson is going under the knife to repair a bone chip in his right knee.
The Senators announced this morning the club's captain will be out of action because of an injury he suffered to his right knee last Sunday in Stockholm. He was scheduled to have the surgery today.
GM Bryan Murray said Alfredsson isn't projected to be out more than two weeks.
"It's not a long-term thing. It's something that happened in Stockholm," said Murray. "We were told he could probably go forward with it, but it should be removed. He will miss the home opener, but probably not much more."
That means he will miss Saturday's game against the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings at Scotiabank Place. Fortunately for the team, the Senators have a light schedule in the next week as the league allows the players to recover from the jet lag incurred during their trip to Europe for the season openers.
Ottawa doesn't have another game until Friday, Oct. 17 at Phoenix. After that, the Senators play six games in 11 days.
Coach Craig Hartsburg said Alfredsson might have aggravated an old injury.
"Every team is going to go through it. You miss good players," said Hartsburg. "We need to be a team, certainly we will miss Alfie. This is a great opportunity for us to prove we are different (and that) this is a team."
The loss of Alfredsson, Hartsburg's comments aside, is a huge blow to the offence. Partnered with Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley, the trio is one of the NHL's most potent offensive lines.
There was some good news today, however. Centre Mike Fisher will return from a groin injury for the game Saturday night. Jarkko Ruutu will skate with Heatley and Spezza.
"We lose a good player and we're getting a good player back," said Hartsburg.
Heatley will wear the 'C' while Alfredsson is sidelined. "Dany's approach has been great. This is a chance for him to step up," said Hartsburg.
Ottawasun.com will update this breaking story as details become available.
