"Sometimes the best news arrives on the days when a team doesn't play.

That was the case at Scotiabank Place on Monday as Senators coach Paul MacLean announced that captain Daniel Alfredsson, out with a concussion since Oct. 29, had skated on his own for about 30 minutes in duration prior to the full team practice.

"He said he felt fine," MacLean said. "He doesn't have any symptoms. Obviously, he has to take the baseline test (today) and we'll see from there."

Alfredsson has not played or practisced with the team since getting rudely hit to the head by Wojtek Wolski of the New York Rangers 10 days ago. In his only meeting with reporters, last Thursday, Alfredsson said he was suffering dizzy spells from such minor activity as playing with his kids at home. So, as MacLean noted, Alfredsson being able to ride a stationary bike and skate lightly without symptoms is encouraging news even if there is no timetable for his return."