Alfredsson should be in Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2020, Spezza says

Daniel Alfredsson deserves to be part of the Hockey Hall of Fame class being announced this week, Jason Spezza said.

Spezza, a Toronto Maple Leafs forward, played his first 11 NHL seasons (2002-13) as Alfredsson's teammate with the Ottawa Senators and calls the retired forward a mentor. After seeing Alfredsson's talents and leadership up close, Spezza said his friend is worthy of being in the Class of 2020, which will be announced Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. ET.

"I would love to see [Alfredsson] get in," Spezza said Tuesday. "I hope he gets the respect he deserves in terms of voting."

Alfredsson, who retired in 2014, became eligible to be inducted in 2017 but failed to get enough votes the past three years, which Spezza considers an oversight.

"He's a guy that didn't win a lot in the NHL but won a lot internationally," Spezza said. "He was a guy that was a huge role model for me foundationalIy in Ottawa. He's the guy that really helped bring that team to respectability. He did so much for the community on and off the ice.

"Just as a young guy he was such a great guy to play with. We had great chemistry on the ice, we had great chemistry off the ice. I can't say I'm not rooting for him. So I'm kind of patiently waiting to see what happens tomorrow. He's been eligible for the past couple of years and it feels like this year he might have a chance.

"I hope he gets the respect because in my opinion he deserves to be in the Hall."

Alfredsson is the Senators leader in points (1,157) goals (444) and assists (713). He played 1,246 NHL games over 18 seasons, playing his first 17 seasons with the Senators before finishing his career with the Detroit Red Wings in 2013-14. Alfredsson won a gold medal with Sweden at the 2006 Torino Olympics and a silver medal at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. He also was voted winner of the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year for 1995-96.

But Alfredsson never won the Stanley Cup or another major NHL award after winning the Calder. Spezza said if the Senators defeated the Anaheim Ducks in the 2007 Stanley Cup Final instead of losing in five games, Alfredsson would be viewed more favorably.

"We were good for a long time and [Alfredsson] was a big reason because of it," Spezza said. "You never know how guys get selected or what the process is, but I think had we won he'd be a lock to get in. Because we didn't win, I think there's more debate about it."

Spezza considers Alfredsson to be the longtime face of the Senators and said he doesn't think the former Ottawa captain gets enough credit for his flamboyance. He still laughs about an incident Jan. 8, 2004, when Alfredsson faked throwing his broken stick into the stands during a game against the rival Maple Leafs in Toronto, raising the ire of Toronto fans and Maple Leafs coach Pat Quinn. Toronto forward Mats Sundin was serving a one-game suspension for tossing a broken stick into the crowd the previous game, and it was Alfredsson's way of playfully ribbing his fellow Swede.

"Alf and Mats actually had a good relationship from what I understand," Spezza said. "[Alfredsson] was a bit of a showman too. He was a quiet, hard-working guy but he had the long hair going at times, he always dressed well, he was a bit of a showman in his own right too.

"I think he took that as an opportunity to mock the situation and add a bit of fuel to the fire. We kind of played up the underdog role during those times against the Leafs."

Spezza doesn't look at Alfredsson as an underdog in his fourth chance to be elected to the Hall.

"It'd be great," Spezza said. "He's earned it."