Daniel Alfredsson defying time and expectations for Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings are getting more than they bargained for with Daniel Alfredsson so far this season. There was shock when he bolted from the Ottawa Senators over the summer, but that has faded now. Detroit’s new No. 11 seems to be all about the awe.

There were some concerns early on in Alfie’s tenure as a Wing. He started off the year freezing cold, grabbing only one point in his first four games, forcing Mike Babcock to shuffle around his lines to find some offense. Alfredsson found himself on the third line because of his poor performances and had pundits thinking that his playing days could be over sooner rather than later.

Then something clicked for Alfredsson. Maybe it was a comfort zone thing—after spending his entire career in Ottawa, that could be expected. Or maybe it was as simple as settling in on a power play alongside Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg.

On October 16, he scored his first goal as a Red Wing, and the weight of the world seemed to come off of his shoulders.

He began making simpler plays at that point. Alfredsson seemed to understand that he didn’t have to do everything by himself after that first goal, and since then he’s been an assist machine. While he had a four-game point streak snapped against the Phoenix Coyotes on Saturday, Alfredsson suddenly jumped from one point to nine and his confidence is growing with every game.

With two virtuoso three-assist performances under his belt already, it’s clear that Alfredsson still has the will and the talent to take over shifts with his skill. While he’s been strong five-on-five, where he’s really started to make his mark is on the power play.

The man advantage has been  an issue for Detroit over the last few seasons, and No. 11’s slap shot and vision have been boons with the extra man. Four of his eight assists have come on the power play, and the Wings are clicking along at a 21.4%. While that’s not ridiculously good by any stretch, Detroit looks better on the power play than it has in years.

Alfredsson has been at the center of the resurgence, and appears to be reinvigorated by the chance to win the first Stanley Cup of his storied 17 year NHL career.