Former NHL veteran could step in to coach Sweden at the WJC this month

Much has been made of Sweden's WJC misfortunes over the past week or so with the team running with a bit of a skeleton crew due to a COVID-19 tidal wave that has seemed to decimate the program.

Thus far, the team has lost several impact players due to the virus, including top prospects William Eklund and Karl Henriksson, along with a pair of Detroit Red Wings draft picks in towering defenseman William Wallinder and winger Albin Grewe.

The most recent development from Dec 8th yielded two more COVID cases in Lukas Reichel and Nino Kinder, adding them to the "unfit to play" ranks. Additionally, head coach Tom Montén and assistant coach Anders Lundberg have also tested positive for COVID-19, eliminating the possibility of either participating in the tournament, leaving the Swedes in quite a predicament.

According to Swedish publication Sportbladet, the Swedes are taking a long hard look at a former NHLer to step in as a replacement behind the bench. Per a Thursday morning report from the publication's official Twitter page, the team could have Daniel Alfredsson step in to coach the Swedes at the World Junior Championships later this month.

Alfredsson brings quite the playing resume with him, amassing 1,157 points in 1,246 NHL games to go along with an additional 100 points in 124 playoff appearances. The native of Gothenburg, Sweden - who turns 48 on Friday - hung up his skates at the conclusion of the 2013-2014 season.

Not only is Alfredsson a IIHF Hall of Famer (class of 2018), but many have stated their case that Alfie is worthy of entering the NHL's Hockey Hall-of-Fame as well. He became eligible in 2017, but has been passed over on three occasions. In my personal opinion, it's only a matter of time before the most iconic Ottawa Senator of all-time stakes his claim to the NHL's HHOF.

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