Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson is out indefinitely with a back injury. REUTERS/Andy ClarkANDY CLARK/Reuters
Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson will be sidelined indefinitely due to a lingering lower back injury.
The veteran forward is hopeful that he'll be able to return to the lineup in less than two weeks.
"I've been having a little bit of a problem the last few weeks especially," Alfredsson said Wednesday. "I was hoping the all-star break was going to help me to go forward but the last two games, it hasn't been as good as I would have liked."
Senators head coach Cory Clouston said his captain needs a break.
"It's the only thing we can do right now," Clouston said. "It's to the point where we don't want to put him in jeopardy as far as health. He's not able to do the things he wants to be able to do right now, and it's getting worse and worse. It's been a while since he's been anywhere near 100 per cent."
Alfredsson, 38, has recorded 31 points (14 goals, 17 assists) in 54 games this season.
Ottawa entered Wednesday night's game at Calgary in 14th place in the NHL's Eastern Conference standings.