Jason Spezza wants the media to keep asking Daniel Alfredsson questions about his playing future. And more questions after that.

"You guys keep asking him about it and keep it in his head, because we want him to stick around," Spezza said Friday.

In a radio address with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Thursday, Alfredsson said he's leaning toward returning next season, providing his health holds up. He said the Senators' surprising success has also kept him refreshed. Alfredsson has one year remaining on his contract, but until this week he had been coy in discussing whether he would retire following the current season.

"I've always said that Alfie can play as long as he wants because of how smart he is playing the game," Spezza said. "He doesn't need his legs as much because he thinks the game so fast. If the season ended today, he would probably play again next year and we hope at the end of the season he feels the same way.

Erik Karlsson echoed Spezza's comments.

"We would like him to play another year, especially with the way he is playing right now," he said.