Ottawa Senators president Roy Mlakar looked to a familiar face Wednesday to become the NHL team's new general manager.

The Senators named John Muckler - who won five Stanley Cup titles with the Edmonton Oilers Dynasty of the 80s and early 90s - the sixth GM in team history. "I think that this is a great opportunity," Muckler, who was originally offered Ottawa's GM position 11 years ago, said during a conference call. "You don't have to come in and re-build a hockey club.

"The (Senators) have a great nucleus."

Mlakar first met Muckler over 30 years ago when he was a 19-year-old ticket salesman for the American Hockey League's Cleveland Barons, a team that was coached by Muckler.

Muckler ended up hiring Mlakar twice - first, to promote a hockey school he ran in Cleveland and later to work in public relations for Providence, an AHL team that he coached a few years later.

"I've had the pleasure of working with John before and I'm confident he can pick up where Marshall (Johnston) left off," Mlakar said. "We might have circumvented a whole lot of problems if he would have accepted that job 11 years ago when it was offered to him."

Muckler will replace Johnston, who decided not to continue as Ottawa's GM after his contract expires June 30.

Muckler, of Midland, Ont., last worked in the NHL as the head coach of the New York Rangers (1997-2000). He has a 276-288-84 career record as an NHL head coach.

His first task as general manager will be to re-sign captain Daniel Alfredsson, who is a restricted free agent.

"It's the No. 1 priority," Muckler said. "Alfredsson is the leader of this hockey club and we certainly want him back in the fold.

"I understand that Alfie wants to be part of the Senators next season. Usually when two people want something, you can get the job done. We've got to find a way to get it done."

Muckler also said he wants to look at the grit of the Senators, who have been eliminated from the playoffs by the more rugged Toronto Maple Leafs three straight years.

This year's loss to Toronto was particularly tough for Senators fans to take. Ahead 3-2 in the series, Ottawa led the Leafs 2-0 less than five minutes into Game 6 at home. The Senators ultimately lost the game and also fell flat in a subpar, 19-shot performance in Game 7- which the Leafs won 3-0.

After the series loss, fans in Ottawa inundated sports talk show lines, many calling for coach Jacques Martin's head. However, the Sens signed Martin to a one-year extension last month, keeping him under contract through the 2003-04 season.

The new GM gave Martin a vote of confidence.

"Jacques is outstanding," Muckler said.

Muckler, 68, was the head coach of the 1990 Oilers, who were unlikely Stanley Cup champions after unloading many of their stars, including Wayne Gretzky. He also earned four Stanley Cup rings as an assistant coach with Edmonton.

In Ottawa, he would love to add a sixth ring to his collection.

"We have to add to the strength of the hockey club and try and take this team to the second level," Muckler said. "That's to become a bona fide contender to win the Stanley Cup.

"That idea excites me because having gone through winning Stanley Cups when I was in Edmonton, it's the greatest feeling in the world and it adds a challenge to my life."

Muckler's only previous experience as an NHL general manager came with Buffalo (1993 to 1997). He was named the NHL's executive of the year by The Sporting News for the 1996-97 season.