Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson criticized NHL owners’ tactics. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson said NHL owners have lowballed the NHLPA since negotiations began and wanted a lockout from the start, according to the Ottawa Citizen.

“Like everybody else, I’m disappointed that the owners chose to have this tactic from the very beginning,” Alfredsson said. “They chose to give a lowball offer from the get-go. It was kind of clear what they wanted and I don’t see anything changing anytime soon.”

Alfredsson said he is “past being frustrated,” and believes the NHL wanted a lockout before opening negotiations towards a new collective bargaining agreement.

“I believe the players are doing the right thing,” he says. “We’ve been more than fair. Maybe it would have been different if we, the players’ association, had done what (the owners) did in their first offer and said ‘we want 70 per cent’. We started at a fair point, moving in their direction and now they’re frustrated that we’re not moving. It’s disappointing more than anything.”

Alfredsson won the 2011-12 King Clancy Memorial Trophy as the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice, while making noteworthy humanitarian contributions in the community. The 16-year veteran turns 40 in December, leaving his NHL future uncertain if the season is canceled.

Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson is nearing a return from his recent concussion, and he hopes to be on the ice tomorrow night for Game 6 against the New York Rangers, according to the Canadian Press.

“I’m hopeful,” Alfredsson said. “We’re obviously going to wait until tomorrow. But the way the last two days felt, I’m encouraged.”

Alfredsson took an elbow to the head from Rangers forward Carl Hagelin in Game 2; Hagelin was suspended three games for the hit. It was the second concussion in the last six months for Alfredsson, 39. The veteran forward has watched the Sens’ last three games from home, and he’s eager to get back on the ice.

“It could have been a lot harder,” he said. “The guys have played really hard. I think we’ve played the way we want to and it’s been fun to watch — but it’s also been a frustrating week. … It’s nice to be back on the ice and hopefully get back at it tomorrow.”

The No. 8-seeded Senators lead the Rangers 3-2 and are on the verge of upsetting the conference’s top seed. The Sens host Game 6 at 7 p.m. tomorrow.

Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson will miss Game 4 due to lingering concussion symptoms from an elbow to the head in Game 2, according to the NY Times.

“I think so,” said forward Jason Spezza when asked if the Senators have to get used to life without Alfredsson. “We have. Our plan is to play without him and when he comes back he’ll be a big boost to our club.”

Alfredsson has scored 46 goals in his 109 career playoff games, and has played in 109 postseason games throughout his career. He has missed only three playoff  games in modern franchise history, and the Senators lost those games that he was absent so his presence will be missed.

This season, Alfredsson tallied 27 goals and 32 assists for a total of 59 points.