The Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch reports that the Ottawa Senators understand that Daniel Alfredsson wants to take his time making a decision as to whether he will continue playing, but as an unrestricted free agent-to-be going into a summer where the salary cap's declining, "Take all the time you need" means "please decide by next Friday":

Daniel Alfredsson returned to Sweden late Sunday with his family without giving the Senators a final answer on whether he'll return to play next season.

Sources say the Sens captain is certainly leaning toward playing, but asked GM Bryan Murray for more time during a meeting last week. All Murray told Alfredsson was it would help the organization the sooner they knew.

The Senators are prepared to give the 40-year-old Alfredsson as much time as he needs to make a final decision on his future, but it might make sense for the club to get an answer before he becomes an unrestricted free agent July 5.

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