OTTAWA - This was one time Clarke MacArthur didn't mind being sent to the corner.

The Ottawa Senators winger was relegated to a corner seat in the locker-room to allow Daniel Alfredsson to return to his regular stall one last time.

Alfredsson announced his retirement Thursday morning, but will take part in the Senators warm-up prior to the game against the New York Islanders after signing a one-day ceremonial contract. Alfredsson will also take a ceremonial faceoff.

"I'm more than happy to be put in the corner here," said MacArthur laughing. "There's going to be a lot of jitters. I'm already nervous. I don't know why as it has nothing to do with me, but it's going to be a big night. It will be pretty cool and he can have my spot on the wing too for warm up if he wants."

The Senators slightly altered their game-day routine to allow the entire team to be present for Alfredsson's announcement.

"Being a part of it, in Ottawa, this is where he belongs," said Chris Neil, who played 11 seasons with Alfredsson. "If it happened in Detroit it just wouldn't be the same."

Longtime friend and teammate Chris Phillips felt it was important for the players to take part and show support for Alfredsson in what will be an emotional day.

"We wanted to be there," said Phillips. "I'm sure he appreciated seeing us there. It's a big event, not only for the guys that played with him, but for the team and the organization and for us to be there and represent that."

Phillips said it will be strange to warm up in front of a packed crowd and hadn't yet decided whether or not he would alter his own routine and stay out a little longer to take in the experience.

Phillips said the time leading up to the game will be meaningful as they know the significance this will hold for Alfredsson.

"It will be fun before the game to see him sitting there (in his old stall)," said Phillips. "It will be kind of a different routine from the normal and then having him back here will be a lot of fun for all of us."

Neil anticipates the warm-up being special for everyone involved.

"I can't even imagine what it's going to be like," Neil said. "It's going to be overwhelming, just talking about it sends goose bumps down your back. To watch the fans and how they react with him is going to be unbelievable."

Captain Erik Karlsson disputed the notion that the warm-up could pose a distraction to the actual game.

"I think everything that's going to go on today will be a lot of fun. It's something that everyone wants to be a part of and all we can do is try and soak it in as much as we can and still get ready for the game," he said. "We're all professionals and it shouldn't affect the outcome of the game."

Karlsson and Alfredsson became extremely close in the four years they played together and Karlsson anticipates the magnitude of the event could get the best of his mentor.

"It will be fun for him and he'll enjoy every moment of it and it will be a very special night," said Karlsson. "I might (get emotional) too. I think tonight he's going to let it go a little bit. His emotions will probably be a little more visual than they were this morning."

Notes: Craig Anderson will get the start for the Senators. Andrew Hammond will back-up Anderson as Robin Lehner is dealing with a minor aggravation. Bobby Ryan (broken finger) will be a game-time decision. Senators coach Paul MacLean said D Marc Methot should be available for the warm-up and would be a game-time decision. However the Senators would need to make a roster move to make room for Methot.