ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - The Ottawa Senators have decided to let Curtis Lazar play for Canada at the world junior championship.

"It's a win-win, for their organization, for us, so we could not be more excited," said Scott Salmond, Hockey Canada's vice president of hockey operations.

Lazar, one of the Senators' top prospects, has recorded a goal and six assists this season as their fourth-line centre.

"I had a good talk with management this morning and we feel that's going to be the best for my long term development and it's a great opportunity," Lazar said in Ottawa.

The 19-year-old had the second-lowest average ice time on the team, just above Chris Neil, at 12:45 a game. Wednesday night at the New Jersey Devils, Lazar skated 15 shifts for 8:30, his lowest totals of his rookie season.

Lazar is expected to play a prominent role with Canada's world junior team and could even be the captain.

"Curtis brings everything, really," Canadian defenceman Josh Morrissey said. "He is an all-around player, he brings a lot to our team on the ice with his skills, and ability, but off the ice he brings tremendous leadership, he is a hard-working honest guy."

A winger in 2014, it's uncertain whether Lazar will play there or at centre in 2015.

"I see him, imagine him, playing a lot," Salmond said.

Lazar becomes the seventh returning player on Canada's world junior team, joining Morrissey, goaltender Zach Fucale and forwards Sam Reinhart, Connor McDavid, Nic Petan and Frederik Gauthier.

With Lazar joining, Canada must make four more cuts, including three at forward, to get down to the 22-man roster.

"That's part of the process," coach Benoit Groulx said. "For us, having Curtis back, obviously I think it puts a smile on everybody's face on this team. Yeah, it's going to make our decision tougher, but I think it's good for our team to have him back."

Canada plays Russia in exhibition action Friday night in Toronto. Lazar will meet up with the team then but won't be in the lineup.

It's possible Lazar makes his 2015 Canadian world junior team debut back in Ottawa on Sunday, maybe even alongside McDavid.

The world junior championship begins Dec. 26 as Canada faces Slovakia in Montreal.