(Editor's note: As the 2012-13 season draws closer, ottawasenators.com will take a daily snapshot look at some of the returning players from last year, with both a look back and a look ahead).

DANIEL ALFREDSSON

2011-12 stats: 75 GP, 27 G, 32 A, 59 PTS, 18 PIM, +16 rating

Last season: After injuries cut short his 2010-11 season, Alfredsson returned with a vengeance, producing 27 goals — his highest total in four years — and 59 points to rank third and fourth on the team in those categories, respectively. Alfredsson also captained one of the two teams in the 2012 NHL All-Star Game, held at Scotiabank Place for the first time and scored twice in the game. He was Ottawa's finalist for the Bill Masterton Trophy, presented annually to player best exemplifying perservance and dedication to hockey. At the 2012 NHL Awards in Las Vegas, Alfredsson earned the King Clancy Trophy for on-ice and community leadership.

The highlight: The all-star weekend was clearly a career highlight. But for the season, Alfredsson's biggest moment came on Dec. 30, when his overtime tally capped the Senators' rally from a three-goal deficit in a 4-3 overtime win over the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Place. Most significantly, it was Alfredsson's 400th career NHL goal.

Looking forward: As the NHL's current longest-serving captain enters his 17th season, he remains the Senators' unquestioned leader and his presence will again prove valuable as the team's youth movement continues in the year ahead. Most significantly, the Senators are enthused about the impact he can have on young Swedes Jakob Silfverberg and Mika Zibanejad, both of whom are candidates to make the Senators roster in 2012-13. Alfredsson has been a major mentor for Erik Karlsson, who won the Norris Trophy last season as the NHL's top defenceman.

Quote: "My health is better than it's been in awhile and I think I can come into camp much better prepared than I was last year, which will help me. So I should be able to stay a little more consistent. But I'm not looking to stay where I was last year. I would like to improve and be better."