With an uncomfortable smile and an effortless stride, a new era began in Ottawa this morning.
For the first time, Tim Stuetzle hit the ice as an Ottawa Senator.
While there have been many highly-touted prospects to roll into town over the years, this one felt different.
Maybe it’s because we’ve been without Sens hockey for so long or maybe it’s just because the hype for this particular player is on another level than anything we’ve seen in this city. Whatever it is, this felt like the start of a new chapter in Sens history.
There have been many low points for the franchise in the last few years but they are only just barley visible in the rear-view mirror now. It’s not just about Stuetzle but more what he represents. It’s a chance to officially turn the page on a dark period in Sens history. It’s a new beginning for a team loaded with young talent. It’s a breath of fresh air for a fan base that desperately needs it.
Stuetzle completed his seven-day quarantine following a dominant performance at the World Juniors and this morning, was finally able to hit the ice for his first practice with new teammates.
Brady Tkachuk made him lead the stretch. DJ Smith said his skating was “exceptional”. He skated on a line with Derek Stepan and Evgenii Dadonov.
Oh and he’s going to live with Brady Tkachuk and Josh Norris. That’s a whole lot of Ottawa’s future under one roof.
Stuetzle followed the on-ice session with his first media availability, where his excitement was obvious. It’s sort of easy to lose sight of it in the collective elation Sens fans were feeling this morning but this is an 18-year old kid living his first day in the National Hockey League.
There’s going to be a learning curve. Highs and lows. Games where he seems over-matched and then nights where he looks like the best player on the ice. That’s just the way it goes for an elite young hockey player.
At the same time, there is such a thing as too much hype. Unreasonable expectations. Setting the bar too high. But there doesn’t really seem to be any of that in the reaction of Sens fans. Not yet, anyway.
It’s just about a turning of the page, a new beginning and a breath of fresh air.
Welcome to Ottawa, Timmy.
-DJ Smith also had a turn to meet with the media this morning and laid out what should be a crucial 24 to 48 hours for the Ottawa Senators. There is another scrimmage planned for tomorrow night and from there, they expect to have the final pieces in place when they hit the ice on Tuesday.
-Expect a frantic few days on the NHL’s waiver wire too. It’s already started and will continue into next week as teams finalize their rosters. The Senators made their first move, placing defenceman Max Lajoie on waivers. The now 23-year old Lajoie, who played 56 games in 2018-2019, will start another year in the American Hockey League.
-Lost in all the excitement over Stuetzle’s debut was the fact that two other players also made their first appearances in Camp this morning. Derek Stepan, who was acquired in a trade with Arizona, completed his own quarantine and skated for the first time as a Senator. Certainly seems like DJ Smith plans to start him a key role too. Meanwhile Erik Brannstrom, who had to isolate after a potential exposure to COVID-19, was on the ice too. Seems likely he starts the year in the AHL but he’ll certainly get some NHL time over the course of the season.
