Toronto Maple Leafs hire Senators legend and Hockey Hall of Famer Daniel Alfredsson as associate coach

The Toronto Maple Leafs have strengthened their coaching staff by appointing Hockey Hall of Famer and Senators legend Daniel Alfredsson as the club's new associate coach, adding one of the NHL's most respected former players to head coach Jim Hiller's bench.

This was announced by the team on Tuesday, with the Maple Leafs confirming the additions of John Gruden and Greg Werenka as assistant coaches. Meanwhile, Mike Benderin and Derek Lalonde will not return to the coaching staff for the upcoming season, as reported by the NHL. It is to be noted that Alfredsson will join the Maple Leafs after spending the past three seasons as an assistant coach with the Ottawa Senators.

Ottawa Senators assistant coach and Hockey Hall of Famer Daniel Alfredsson appointed as associate coach

Ottawa Senators assistant coach and Hockey Hall of Famer Daniel Alfredsson was appointed as the associate coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, according to the NHL. The 53-year-old spent the past three seasons as an assistant with the Ottawa Senators.

Before that, he worked in player development for Ottawa and was also an assistant for Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics.According to reports, Alfredsson played 1,246 NHL games with the Senators and Detroit Red Wings from 1995 to 2014. He spent 17 seasons with Ottawa, where his 426 goals, 682 assists, and 1,108 points are team records.After hiring Daniel Alfredsson as the associate coach, the new head coach, Jim Hiller, said, "I'm incredibly excited to add Daniel, John, and Brad to our coaching staff.

Daniel's experience, leadership and understanding of the game speak for themselves.”

Speaking further about John Gruden and Greg Werenka’s hire as assistant coaches, Hiller stated, “ John has established himself as one of the top coaches in the American Hockey League and played an instrumental role in leading the Marlies to a Calder Cup championship last season. Brad brings a unique combination of NHL experience, player development, and expertise in performance analytics.

Together, they'll be outstanding additions to our team.

"His arrival also reunites him with fellow Swedish icon Mats Sundin, who joined the Maple Leafs' front office earlier this year as senior executive adviser of hockey operations. They were once longtime archrivals during the famed "Battle of Ontario" rivalry between Toronto and Ottawa. Earlier, the Toronto Maple Leafs named Jim Hiller as the franchise's 41st head coach, completing a major responsibility ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft.

Hiller, as a coach, has a wide range of experience, having most recently coached the Los Angeles Kings, compiling a 93-58-24 record over parts of three seasons before being dismissed in March.In announcing the decision, Chayka praised Hiller's leadership qualities, extensive coaching experience, and his ability to connect well with players. Hiller, meanwhile, described the opportunity to return to Toronto as special and expressed excitement about helping the team meet its high expectations. The trio (Hiller, Sudin, and Alfredsson) will now work together to help reshape the Maple Leafs' hockey operations after a disappointing 2025-26 season.