Stuetzle already creating buzz for Senators

Tim Stuetzle isn't even at Senators training camp, but he's the talk of the town.

Ottawa's No. 3 overall selection in the NHL draft in October will lead Germany into its quarter-final Saturday against Russia at the world junior championship in Edmonton, but his efforts at the tournament have been nothing short of brilliant.

Stuetzle had two goals and three assists in a 5-4 victory over Switzerland on Wednesday night.

Speaking to reporters on a Zoom call Friday after wrapping up the skates at Canadian Tire Centre, coach D.J. Smith noted he was impressed with what he's seen from Stuetzle, who has 10 points in four games at the WJC.

“He's a special player and when you see a special player play that's why (he was) drafted first, second or third overall. They're franchise changers sometimes,” Smith said. "When you watch that kid out there, playing against his peers and what he can do, it's incredible.

“It's just a matter of strength and confidence because the NHL is full of first, second or third overall picks and there's still people watching who expect him to come here and do that right away.

“They don't realize that these are the best defenders and the best players in the world. You'll be out there against Auston Matthews, Bo Horvat and all these players on a nightly basis that have been through this process.

“He's still going to have some growing pains, but a finished product Tim Stuetzle looks like (he'll be) one heck of a hockey player.”

And that's why GM Pierre Dorion was also trying to temper expectations when he spoke to reporters Thursday.

Stuetzle will start on the wing, but Smith hasn't quite settled on his lines.

“The world junior is one thing, the DEL (German league) is another, but his development and for him to be the best player he can be, I think it's more of a D.J. question, but we talked about that this morning and I think for the first year he'll probably be playing more left wing than centre,” Dorion said.

“But he's got a lot of traits of a centre as far as his ability to generate plays off the fly, how he carries the puck a lot and how he gains the zone. If you look at his analytic numbers, they're off the charts as far as puck possession.

“He's got a lot of great qualities of a centre, and also what comes with that is play away from the puck and defensive responsibilities.

“As much as he's definitely got high NHL talent, away from the puck there's still work to be done.”