MONTREAL

Daniel Alfredsson is settling in nicely in his off-ice role.

Four months after being named a senior adviser to hockey operations, the former Ottawa captain has impressed GM Bryan Murray and he believes Alfredsson's influence down the road will be a huge asset.

"The interesting thing about Alfie is he really cares. He's back into the groove where he's almost where I am up in the suite at night. He's making comments about why did we do certain things," said Murray Friday.

"The one thing I really notice is his interest in helping individual players. He's got thoughts on stick length, and lie, and how guys should do gap control, how they should check in a certain fashion. To me, he's got at the moment, he's kind of a coach mentality. He's right where he thinks, and we think he can contribute.

"He's involved and interested in the other parts as well but I've encouraged him a few times to go talk to the individual players and try to give them insight. I think he's so respected by the players if they don't listen to some other guy they might listen as well."

Murray noted Alfredsson, who turned 43 on Friday, can either play a role in management or as a coach down the road.

"He's a guy that has a chance to be both," Murray said.

The Senators haven't been afraid to send Alfredsson into the dressing room to talk to the players. He was on the ice with Jared Cowen the other day working on his skills.

"That's the thing he likes doing and the thing we encourage and (coach) Dave (Cameron) has been very good about it," said Murray. "He can go out there, grab a player, and ask him a couple of questions and all of sudden have conversation that may lead to something good long term. The way we are with our young players, we think development is so important, and obviously he can contribute in that area.

Twitter: @sungarrioch