Count on Stuetzle still showing up at training camp

Before Tim Stuetzle, the club's top pick in last Tuesday's NHL draft, broke his hand in a drill in Mannheim Tuesday, there was some noise on Twitter that he won't be able to suit up for the Senators this season.

That's likely not going to be the case and it's doubtful the Mannheim Deutsche Eishockey Liga organization would stand in the way of the 18-year-old wants to play in Ottawa when the 2020-21 campaign does get underway.

Yes, there's going to be discussions between the Senators, Minneapolis-based agent Ben Hankinson and Mannheim. However, it's believed Stuetzle does have an out in his contract.

Hankinson said Tuesday he didn't want to comment on the situation until he spoke with team officials in Mannheim, but didn't seem overly concerned.

With Stuetzle scheduled to have surgery Thursday and on the shelf for six to eight weeks, there's no rush, but there's no reason to believe he won't be at camp.

No. 1 overall pick Alexis Lafreniere signed his entry-level deal with the New York Rangers Saturday and that will set the tone for the rest of the high-end draft picks.

STILL LOOKING

Everything about this off-season has changed, including the approach to free agency.

As predicted, a lot of players got their money when the market opened Friday, but since then the signings have slowed to a trickle.

The Senators have made a few moves by dealing for goaltender Matt Murray, as well as defencemen Josh Brown from the Florida Panthers and blueliner Erik Gudbranson from the Anaheim Ducks.

On the weekend, rugged winger Austin Watson was brought in from the Nashville Predators.

That doesn't mean GM Pierre Dorion is done. The club is still trying to add a forward or two through free agency or trade, so keep an eye on the situation.

THE LAST WORDS

The Senators have a strong presence overseas while waiting for camp to get underway. Winger Vitaly Abramov will make his debut with Mikkelin Jukurit in the Finnish Elite League Thursday. He skated with the club for the first time Wednesday.

The club loaned defenceman

Olle Alsing to Graz99ers in the Austrian league Wednesday. Prospect blueliner Lassi Thomson is playing in Finland, Erik Brannstrom is in Switzerland, goaltender Filip Gustavsson is in Sweden's second division, and Filip Chlapik is the Czech league ... At least a half-dozen teams have heard from former Ottawa Senators winger Anthony Duclair. Duclair has opted to represent himself in free agency and has been reaching out to teams to see what jobs are available. ... Expect former Senators winger Mike Hoffman to settle on a destination in the next couple of days. Nashville has been consistent in its pursuit of Hoffman while Edmonton, Columbus and Boston are among another six or seven teams that have shown interest in the prolific goal-scorer.