OTTAWA -- The sight of Daniel Alfredsson skating in an Ottawa Senators jersey so soon after the very public airing of grievances between him and his former team may have surprised some people. Erik Karlsson wasnt one of them. "Its pretty normal, I mean hes been doing it for a while," the Senators defenceman said with a laugh. "Its when he puts the other jersey that it would feel a little different probably." Alfredsson joined other NHL players at an informal skate at Bell Sensplex on Monday. Last week the former Senators captain made headlines when he said negotiations to bring him back to Ottawa for another season "went nowhere," causing general manager Bryan Murray to publicly defend the front office. The 40-year-old Alfredsson signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings July 5 as a free agent after negotiations with the Senators fell through. Karlsson has grown close to Alfredsson, a fellow Swede, and even lived with him at times. He admits things will be very different without his mentor around on a daily basis. "For me on a personal level its going to be tough for me, were close friends and hes helped me out a lot. I only wish him all the best," he said. "I still think well be friends. "I dont think its that sudden and Im just happy hes still playing," Karlsson added. "We have to move on and I think we have guys on the team thats ready to take the next step and as of right now everybodys pretty excited to focus on our game and becoming a better team." Alfredssons departure after 17 seasons with the Senators undoubtedly means a change of leadership will have to take place, but Karlsson is confident the team will be able to adjust accordingly. "Theres going to be changes inside the locker-room and on the ice and I think the group of guys we have are going to handle that perfectly I think," said Karlsson. "I think there will be no problems moving on from here and as I said it was just a matter of time before Alfie was gone." Karlsson is back in Ottawa after spending much of the summer in Sweden and appears to be making progress in recovering from a partially lacerated Achilles tendon. Karlsson suffered a 70 per cent tear to his Achilles Feb. 13 in a game against Pittsburgh when Penguins forward Matt Cooke stepped on his leg. He was expected to miss the remainder of the season following the injury, but the 23-year-old played the last three games of the regular season and all of Ottawas 10 playoff games. Karlssons return was impressive, but it was clear he had a long way to go before returning to form. The 2012 Norris Trophy winner as the NHLs top defenceman says hes been working hard and is excited about the upcoming season. "I can feel the excitement right now coming back. Its been a short summer it feels like, but I think overall I feel great and happy to be back early." As for his injury, Karlsson sees no reason for concern. "It feels good actually, Im a little bit surprised myself. Ive been able to do most of the normal stuff that I do in the summers and Ive been focusing a lot in trying to get it back as strong and as quickly as possible and as of right now I dont think I would have any concerns going into training camp. "Right now it feels normal to me even if its not as it used to be, but I dont think its going to stop me from being a good hockey player and moving forward in my career. I dont have any concerns right now that its going to affect me." One of Karlssons greatest attributes was his skating and following the injury many questioned whether or not it would be affected. "As of right now it doesnt feel like it, but well see when the first game comes," he said. Karlsson said his condition has improved considerably since his return to action last season. "Ive had some time now working off the ice and really trying to get it into shape," he said. "I barely feel it anymore when I do certain stuff that I did before, especially on the ice it doesnt feel close to what it did last season." "As of right now I dont think I could have felt any better than I do right now and I didnt expect to feel this good at this period of time." Air Max Plus Outlet Ireland .B. -- Canadas Rachel Homan had ideal preparation for the playoffs at the Ford World Curling Championships with a pair of hard-fought wins over tenacious opponents Thursday. Wholesale Air Max Plus . Coming off a 6-0 drubbing at Chelsea on Saturday, Arsenal endured another demoralizing result after rallying for a 2-1 lead -- only to concede a fluke equalizer. http://www.airmaxplusireland.com/ . Bjoergen pulled away from Swedens Charlotte Kalla on the final straight to win in 38 minutes, 33.6 seconds and defend her title from the 2010 Vancouver Games. Kalla was 1.8 seconds back. Heidi Weng of Norway took bronze. Cheap Air Max Plus Ireland . Moments after his Brooklyn Nets teammates ran out onto the court to congratulate him following their 100-98 overtime win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night, Johnson could only shake his head at scoring only 13 points on 6-of-19 shooting. Air Max Plus Ireland . -- Fantasy football owners and Denver Broncos fans can rest easy: Peyton Manning is back.CALGARY -- Although she wasnt pleased with her time, Ottawas Ivanie Blondin skated well enough to win the womens 5,000 metres at the Canadian Olympic speedskating trials on Friday. "I was really nervous for it," said Blondin, who finished in a time of seven minutes 18.45 seconds to win the race by less than half a second. "Im a little surprised with the time and disappointed. It shouldnt have been that close and I shouldnt have skated probably one of the worst times Ive skated in like two years." Blondin finished ahead of Edmontons Nicole Garrido, who had a time of 7:18.87, and Josie Spence of Kamloops, B.C., at 7:23.24. "I wouldnt say I skated really well, but Im obviously happy that I came out on top today," Blondin said. "I think its kind of a miracle that I did." Blondins result will be good enough to earn her a spot to compete for Canada in the 5,000 metres at the Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, according to Sean Ireland, Speed Skating Canadas long-track program director. "She would be the first person in that provisional quota spot," Ireland said. Canadas team, which will consist of 10 women and eight men for all disciplines, will be officially announced on Jan. 22. Four years ago Blondin competed at both the short-track and long-track speedskating Olympic trials, but failed to earn a spot to compete at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. "I developed ulcers in my stomach because I was so nervous and stressed out," said Blondin, who finished second in the 3,000 metres on the first day of the Olympic trials last Saturday. "This time around its been a lot better, but its still stressful. "Sometimes I feel like the general public doesnt really realize how much stress you put on your body when you go through these Olympic trials. Its nice to watch and see and everything, but being in it Ive probably got like five grey hairs from this, even though Im 23." Blondin will now take a couple days to relax before heading to Tucson, Arizona to attend a pre-Olympic training camp. "I think itll be nice to get away and relax and just calm down aa little bit from these Olympic trials," she said, adding that she doesnt think she will battle as many nerves in Sochi.dddddddddddd "Now that the Olympic trials are over and just being at the Games, Ill have a lot less pressure because realistically I dont have anything to lose when Im there." While Blondin believes she did enough to qualify to compete for Canada in three events (5,000 metres, 3,000 metres and womens team pursuit) in Sochi, Torontos Jordan Belchos will have to wait to find out his fate after winning the mens 10,000 metres with a time of 13:24.96 on Friday. Winnipegs Stefan Waples finished second in 13:53.65, while Francois Dery of St. Jean Chrysostome, Que., placed third at 13:58.30. Whether Belchos gets to compete for Canada at the Games depends on what other countries do, said Ireland. "Currently we do not have a quota spot for the Olympics themselves in the 10,000 metres," Ireland said. "We have the first reserve spot, so if another country declines a 10,000 spot, well then theres a chance that we might be able to fill that depending on our own quotas." Belchos said hed rather be in a state of limbo, than not have any chance at all to compete at the Winter Olympics. "Id rather be in this situation than be out," he said. "I dont know what the chances are or anything like that. Im just trying to skate and be prepared if that happens." Thats the right attitude for Belchos to have, Ireland said. "My advice would be to train and prepare knowing that theres a chance," said Ireland, adding that he should know whether another country declines a spot in the 10,000 by mid-January. "Its slim chance at that." Until he finds out his fate, Belchos said that he will continue his usual training regimen. "The next two weeks for me are just about getting away from skating and just training to be an Olympian, but knowing it could not happen," he said. "Im in a position where if it doesnt happen, its almost what I expect. If it does, it would be a pleasant surprise. Its tough to be in such a weird spot." 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