Alfredsson returns to the Ottawa Senators

Daniel Alfredsson has returned to the Ottawa Senators.

The Hockey Hall of Famer was on the ice with the Senators at the Bell Sensplex on Friday as the club prepared for its home opener against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Sens president of hockey operations Steve Staios told reporters that Alfredsson is "officially back with the organization" in a development role working between player development and coaching.

"Never mind, he's Daniel Alfredsson, but I look at his character and his hockey acumen and I was eager to get him in wherever he wanted," Staios said.

Alfreddson says he has no official title yet.

"I said I want to be pretty much boots on the ground, be with the players, trying to help them along their journey," Alfredsson told reporters on Friday.

"I felt this is where I can contribute the most. And then we'll see where that leads us. So I'm just super happy to be here now and then where this takes us who knows."

Alfredsson spent 17 seasons with the Senators as a player, before spending one year with the Detroit Red Wings. After retiring in 2014, Alfredsson returned to the Senators front office as a senior adviser of hockey operations for two seasons before departing in 2017.

Staios says he approached Alfredsson about a role with the club.

"His eyes kind of lit up when we started talking about this role and him being around the players," Staios said. "He's got such a great passion for our team."

Alfredsson had spoken with new owner Michael Andlauer over the summer and attended the introduction press conference for Andlauer as new owner last month. 

"I think the biggest thing in today's hockey world is communication and he's going to help narrow that gap and help everybody," head coach DJ Smith said.

"Not just him as a player, but what he's done through the city, community, and all the experiences that he's gone through, (he can) share that with us and I think that's going to help us get to the next level," added Sens captain Brady Tkachuk.

The Senators home opener is set for Saturday afternoon, the first of two games for the Senators at Canadian Tire Centre this weekend.

The Senators host the Philadelphia Flyers at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

"I think that's got a special touch to it to be back in front of the fans," Tkachuk said. "A full building for the first time of, hopefully, the rest of the year."

"I know that these players and myself, we want to win for the fans and we want to bring a winning product here every night," Smith said.

Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 12:45 p.m. Saturday for player introductions and a special ceremonial puck drop.