Alfie making progress

Ottawa Senators forward Daniel Alfredsson was on the ice Monday for the first since suffering a concussion nine days ago.

"He's progressing," head coach Paul MacLean said on Monday afternoon. "He's made some progress the last couple of days which is a positive."

The Senators captain was able to skate on Monday morning, marking the first time he's been on the ice since the injury occurred. Alfredsson suffered a concussion when he was hit by Rangers forward Wojtek Wolski in the third period of a game on Oct. 29.

Alfredsson had been able to ride an exercise bike over the weekend and felt comfortable enough to progress to an on-ice session on Monday. He was on the ice for about 30 minutes at Scotibank Place, prior to his team's scheduled practice. MacLean said Alfredsson is progressing in the right direction and has not been experiencing symptoms with the increased amount of physical activity.

"He's gone from riding the bike to actually skating which is a good sign. Still, we don't have a timeline on it or a time frame, but there is progress," added MacLean. "He said he felt fine. He feels better. He doesn't have any symptoms."

Alfredsson will have to undergo another baseline test, which could happen as early as Tuesday.

The news of Alfredsson's skate on Monday is in stark contrast to the update the team captain gave to the media four days earlier. On Thursday, Alfredsson told reporters that he was having issues doing light exercises -- saying it was too strenuous to even play with his own children.

But Alfredsson's improvement in the past 72 hours gives hope to the idea that his return to the lineup may be closer than initially thought. The Senators, who have lost all three games in Alfredsson's absence, play host to the Rangers on Wednesday night.