Music: {allcanada} Alfie: This season could be my last

Life without Daniel Alfredsson could start as early as next season for the Ottawa Senators.

Speaking to Sportsnet on the weekend, Alfredsson said he is preparing as though this season -- his 16th in the National Hockey League -- will be his final one.

"It all depends on how I feel, but I'm going to play like this is my last year and we'll see how it goes," Alfredsson told Sportsnet. "I think I approach it that way -- that it could be the last one because you never know. I'm just going to give it everything I have and have no regrets looking back after."

Alfredsson is under contract for the 2012-13 season, but will only receive $1 million to play as it is the final year of a front-loaded, four-year, $19.5-million contract he signed in October of 2008. However, Alfredsson does point out that if this year goes smoothly for him, he would contemplate returning for another season with the Senators.

"If at the end of the year, if I'm feeling good and the team is going in the right direction, I wouldn't say that I wouldn't play the following season," Alfredsson added.

Alfredsson said the thought of retirement did not cross his mind during the summer, despite going through a rigorous rehabilitation process to recover from surgery to correct a nerve issue in his back. Instead, the 38-year old said that retirement crept into his mind during the 2010-11 season, when the injury took its toll on his performance. The usually-dependable winger saw his offensive numbers plummet to only 14 goals and a career-worst 31 points. That, coupled with the Senators' descent into the basement of the Northeast division, had the captain contemplating the end of his playing days.

"It was more during the year. The way I felt, I couldn't really pinpoint the problem. I really thought to myself, 'This could be it,'" Alfredsson admits.

But after undergoing surgery in the middle of June, Alfredsson appeared rejuvenated at training camp last month. He did not show any ill-effects from the procedure and at this point, head coach Paul MacLean expects his captain to be available to him on most nights this season. Alfredsson is just two seasons removed from producing 71 points in 70 games and helping the Senators earn a playoff berth.

But expecting the Senators to reach the post-season in what could be Alfredsson's last year appears to be a tall order for an organization that is trying to re-build itself. The Senators finished in last place in the Northeast division with 74 points and were out of the Eastern Conference playoff race by early January last season.

After that disastrous campaign, general Bryan Murray engineered a complete re-tooling of the club that has most experts picking Ottawa to finish anywhere between 12th - 15th in the conference. Alfredsson's window to win a Stanley Cup in Ottawa appears to have closed, so the natural question becomes: Will Alfredsson ask for a trade to a contender at the deadline to pursue a championship in what could be his final season?

At this point, Alfredsson says that's not his intention but the Ottawa captain does leave the door open for a possible trade this season, if it makes sense for both himself and the organization.

"That might change, but as of right now, I have no desire to do that," Alfredsson said when asked if he would follow in Ray Bourque's path. "I haven't even thought about it that way. I'm committed to stay here, but who knows: things could change come February or March. But right now, I'd say 'no' to that question."

Alfredsson says he feels an obligation to the community in Ottawa, where he has been the face of the franchise for the past 15 years. His tireless charitable work off the ice and his consistent production on the ice has made him a fan favourite in the nation's capital. Last season, he became the first player in franchise history to eclipse the 1,000-point plateau and he is a lock to become the first modern-day Senators player to have his jersey raised to the rafters of Scotiabank Place.

"I'm reluctant to go elsewhere because I've been fortunate to stay in one spot for so long. Even though I'd love to raise the Stanley Cup, I'd like it to be with Ottawa," he explained. "I don't know if that's going to happen while I'm still playing, but who knows? I'm not going to rule out anything. I'm not going to close any doors. And that's how I feel right now."