The Ottawa Senators will be sending a full starting lineup \u2014 three forwards, two defencemen and one goalie \u2014 to compete at the Winter Games.<\/p>\n
With NHL players back in the Olympics for the first time since 2014, it will be a brand new experience for all six Ottawa players.<\/p>\n
Two Americans, two Danes, one Finn and a German will trade their Sens jerseys for their country\u2019s colours when the men\u2019s tournament gets underway on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a closer look at each of the Olympic-bound Senators, and what they\u2019ll bring to their national teams.<\/p>\n
Tim Stutzle (Germany)<\/p>\n
The ultra-talented 24-year-old forward will help lead Germany\u2019s best team ever assembled.<\/p>\n
Alongside Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers) and Moritz Seider (Detroit Red Wings), Stutzle has aided in ushering a new era of relevance for Team Germany on the biggest international hockey stage.<\/p>\n
However, Stutzle will need to put on a performance similar to his 2021 world junior championship coming out party, for which he was named the tournament\u2019s top player after carting 10 points in five games, if Germany is to sniff a chance at a medal.<\/p>\n
Five years after that WJC honour, Stutzle has grown into a remarkably well-rounded NHLer. Of course, he still dazzles offensively with his speed, edge work and silky mitts, but Stutzle is now extremely committed defensively, and one of the better Ottawa penalty killers.<\/p>\n
Expect him to play a ton of minutes, maybe north of 27 per game, at all strengths for Germany.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s when you can catch Stutzle in action during the preliminary round (all times ET):<\/p>\n
Germany vs. Denmark \u2014 Thursday, Feb. 12 at 3:10 p.m. (TSN)<\/p>\n
Germany vs. Latvia \u2014 Saturday, Feb. 14 at 6:10 a.m. (TSN)<\/p>\n
USA vs. Germany \u2014 Sunday, Feb. 15 at 3:10 p.m. (TSN, CBC)<\/p>\n
Brady Tkachuk (USA)<\/p>\n
Tkachuk has been dreaming about an opportunity like this for a long time.<\/p>\n
The Sens captain played like a monster for Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off last February, scoring three goals and throwing his body around as if each game was his last.<\/p>\n
He and older brother Matthew talk about the Olympics ad nauseam on their Wingmen podcast<\/a>, inspired by their father Keith\u2019s international success<\/a>, and driven by their unflinching love for the red, white and blue.<\/p>\n Tkachuk, who has 36 points in 36 games for the Senators this season, will undoubtedly play his heart out for his country. The 26-year-old\u2019s patented wrecking-ball mentality has been missing many nights since he came back from thumb surgery in late November, but it could very well be on display every shift in Italy.<\/p>\n Jake Sanderson (USA)<\/p>\n One of the best defencemen in the world, Sanderson will still have to fight for his ice time at the Olympics.<\/p>\n Team USA is bringing a star-studded D corps \u2014 including Quinn Hughes (Minnesota Wild), Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets) and shutdown specialist Jaccob Slavin (Carolina Hurricanes) \u2014 that might be the best in the tournament.<\/p>\n Sanderson has somehow elevated his game to yet another level this season. He has 46 points in 56 games, leads the Senators with 108 blocks and deserves to be mentioned in the Norris Trophy debate<\/a>.<\/p>\n Team USA general manager Bill Guerin intentionally built his squad with the Canadians in mind, after losing to the northern neighbour in the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off last year.<\/p>\n