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Alfredsson: Old man and the 'C'
By
DON BRENNAN, QMI Agency
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  Ottawa Senators' captain, Daniel Alfredsson. (DARREN BROWN/QMI Agency)
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The ‘C’ on Daniel Alfredsson’s chest, of course, could also stand for consistency.
When the Senators captain took a pass from Kaspars Daugavins and went in to score a pretty “shorty” against the Florida Panthers Wednesday, it marked the 13th time in his illustrious career that he reached the 20-goal plateau.
Alfredsson was more than aware he was closing in on the number.
“It feels good,” he said. “It was nice to get it today so I didn’t have to wait too long, and start thinking about it.”
It’s an impressive accomplishment, indeed.
When the Senators play their next game, Monday afternoon in Long Island, it will be No. 1,111 in No. 11’s tenure in the NHL. Alfredsson now has 409 goals, tying him with former teammate Marian Hossa for 80th on the all-time list, one ahead of Ray Ferraro and one behind Ray Bourque.
Alfredsson mentioned after the Panthers game that he hopes to “flirt” with the 30-goal mark this season, and if he gets there he could move into 75th, pending the performances of Hossa and Jason Arnott the rest of the way.
But being able to bring it year after year should really be a source of pride for Alfredsson, whose 43 points is the third most in the NHL (behind Teemu Selanne and Ray Whitney) of players 39 years of age and over.
It’s inconceivable anyone will ever challenge Gordie Howe’s record of 22, 20-goal seasons. Mr. Hockey’s last term in the NHL was as a 51-year-old, and he was 43 the last time he scored 20 in the league.
But Alfredsson joined and moved ahead of some pretty impressive all-timers when he reached the mark for the 13th time.
Former Hab greats Guy Lafleur, Jean Beliveau and Frank Mahovolich scored 20 on 13 occasions, as did Bobby Hull, Alex Delvechhio, Jarri Kurri, Brian Trottier, Brian Bellows, Jeremy Roenick, Michel Goulet, Pat Verbeek and Sergei Fedorov.
Mario Lemieux scored 20 just 12 times, but his career was interrupted by injury and illness.
If Alfredsson plays again next season (Bibbi?), he could become just the 23rd player to rack up a 20 goal season. If he keeps going beyond that, well ... Howe is always going to be out of reach.
don.brennan@sunmedia.ca
Players in the Top 143 scorers of all-time who have had at least a dozen, 20-goal seasons
Gordie Howe 22
Ron Francis 19
Brendan Shanahan 19
Dave Andreychuk 19
Wayne Gretzky 17
Mark Messier 17
Marcel Dionne 17
Joe Sakic 17
Brett Hull 17
Mats Sundin 17
Mike Gartner 17
Phil Esposito 16
Luc Robitaille 16
Teemu Selanne 16
Mike Modano 16
Johnny Bucyk 16
Norm Ullman 16
Steve Yzerman 15
Jaromir Jagr 15
Mark Recchi 15
Gilbert Perreault 15
Joe Nieuwendyk 15
Keith Tkachuk 15
Stan Mikita 14
Jean Ratelle 14
Dino Ciccarelli 14
Rocket Richard 14
Jarome Iginla 14
Peter Bondra 14
DANIEL ALFREDSSON 13
Guy Lafleur 13
Jean Beliveau 13
Jeremy Roenick 13
Brian Trottier 13
Jari Kurri 13
Frank Mahovlich 13
Pat Verbeek 13
Alex Delvecchio 13
Bobby Hull 13
Sergei Fedorov 13
Michel Goulet 13
Brian Bellows 13
Mario Lemieux 12
Jason Arnott 12
Gary Roberts 12
Rod Gilbert 12
Glen Anderson 12
Doug Gilmour 12
Marian Hossa 12
Vincent Damphousse 12
Dale Hawerchuk 12
Denis Savard 12
Vincent Damphousse 12
Rod Brind’Amour 12
Pierre Turgeon 12
Theo Fleury 12
Dave Taylor 12
Steve Larmer 12
Rick Middleton 12
