SNAPSHOTS: Connor Brown is excited to suit up for Team Canada, but Batherson taking a wait-and-see approach to world championship
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Author of the article:
Bruce Garrioch 
Ottawa Senators right wing Connor Brown eludes the check of Vancouver Canucks defenceman Nate Schmidt. Photo by Errol McGihon /Postmedia Article content
The final buzzer won’t signal the end of the season for all the Ottawa Senators.
As noted here before, some have been offered the opportunity to extend their year by suiting up at the IIHF world championship that will take place from May 21-to-June 6 in Riga, Latvia.
Ottawa wingers Connor Brown and Drake Batherson both confirmed Monday they’ve both been asked by Team Canada general manager Roberto Luongo to suit up for the country later this month, but there’s no certainty they’ll attend. It’s believed defenceman Thomas Chabot and winger Nick Paul are also on Canada’s radar screen.
In the case of the 27-year-old Brown, it’s a rare opportunity to represent his country and it doesn’t sound like he’ll pass up. He has the chance to be a key role player for coach Gerard Gallant, plus chip in offensively on a Canadian roster that’s expected to be young with a lot of players concerned about heading overseas because of COVID-19.
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“I’ve been in contact with them,” Brown said Monday before facing the Winnipeg Jets at home. “It’s definitely something I’d consider and something I’d be excited about doing. Nothing’s been finalized, but it’s something I’d like to do.”
With two years left on his deal, the decision is easy for Brown to play for Canada. As for Batherson, it’s a different story and as much as he’d like to play for the country it may not make sense.
A restricted free agent, there would be concerns regarding insurance coverage for Batherson and he may be advised by his agents not to attend. He has a big contract negotiation ahead of him and even though he loves playing the game attending this tourney at this point may not be prudent.
Batherson said he has to consider all the factors before making a determination.
Ottawa Senators right wing Drake Batherson eyes there face-off during first period NHL action against the Winnipeg Jets at the Canadian Tire Centre. Photo by Errol McGihon /Postmedia
“I don’t know much about it honestly. I’ve never been through a summer where I’m up for a contract so I’m going to have to ask some people who have been through it and see what advice they give me,” said Batherson. “My agents will lead me in the right direction. I’ll have to ask some former players and guys in our dressing room before I make a final decision.”
It’s not like Batherson, 23, hasn’t suited up for Canada before so if he doesn’t go other opportunities will come along when the timing is better and he has a contract in place.
“If it works out, it works out. If it doesn’t, that’s the way it goes,” Batherson said.
The Senators will wrap up their schedule May 12 against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Ottawa and Team Canada will meet in Newark, N.J. on May 15 to charter overseas the next day to Riga.
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Brown is ready to extend his year.
“It’s a chance to play some meaningful hockey and that’s always the most fun,” said Brown.
As for Chabot, he may need to head overseas to help cement a spot with Canada at the Winter Olympics in Beijing while Paul could be used in a fourth-line role.
Ottawa Senators left wing Tim Stuetzle controls a loose puck against the Vancouver Canucks at the Canadian Tire Centre. Photo by Errol McGihon /Postmedia A STRONG ROOKIE SEASON
You have to give rookie winger Tim Stuetzle a lot of credit because he’s made an impact for this team in his first year in the NHL.
The 19-year-old Stuetzle, the club’s top pick in the NHL draft in October, has lived up to the billing he had going into this season and he’s only going to come back stronger next year. He went into Monday’s visit by the Jets to Ottawa with nine goals and 26 points in 48 games this season.
Stuetzle has done a good job impressing his teammates.
“We were chatting the other day and when I was his age I was playing my first year of junior,” said Batherson. “It’s pretty amazing what he can do out there with the puck and he’s so smart, he’s got such a high Hockey IQ, and he’s got so much more to give for years to come.
“He’s going to be such a special player and such a big part of this organization. He’s an awesome guy, he loves the game and he’s so talented.”
Stuetzle’s teammates like his intensity and, at times, he shows frustration.
“It’s a good thing and it shows how much he cares,” Batherson added. “He wants to make every play perfect and you see that with a lot of the best players in the league. When they’re younger, they’re like that. He just wants every play or every shot to be perfect. He’s just hard on himself and we just want him to be the best he can be to help the team.
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“We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to help the team win and I think that’s what he shows. He’s so talented, and so skilled, he’s going to be such a good player for a long time.”
THE LAST WORDS
After missing Saturday’s game in Montreal because he wasn’t feeling Friday, winger Alex Formenton returned. That meant Michael Amadio was a healthy scratch … Goalie Anton Forsberg, who has been out with an ankle injury suffered while getting ready for warmup, wasn’t able to back up for this game. The expectation is Forsberg will play one of the club’s final four games. He’s a UA in the summer and there’s a chance he may return next season … It was the 17th annual Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night Monday. The players wore camouflage jerseys in warmup that were auctioned off to help Support Our Troops.
bgarrioch@postmedia.com
Twitter: @sungarrioch
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