Ottawa Senators fans will always be quick to remind you about the 2020 NHL Draft. And for good reason.
All anyone could talk about that draft season was Alexis Lafreniere and his exploits in the QMJHL. It was easy to overlook Tim Stützle, who, despite his tremendous play in Germany, was overshadowed by the Canadian scoring star instead.
Flash forward to the spring of 2023. Stützle had just completed his best NHL season with 39 goals and 90 points, while articles were still being written about where Lafreniere was a bust after registering 39 points with the New York Rangers.
Talk about two players with completely different career trajectories.
Many still believe in Lafreniere, who’ll have a realistic shot at the Stanley Cup in his fourth season in the Big Apple. But Stützle quickly established himself as one of the best young players in the NHL today, and he’s only just getting started.
Stützle kicked off the 2023-24 NHL preseason in style, scoring twice against the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 3-2 win Sunday. The victory means nothing in the grand scheme of things, but Stützle already looked in preseason form. If you follow the Sens’ fanbase on social media, you know how much they’ve been hyping up Stützle’s potential for the year; 100 points should easily be in reach for the 21-year-old.
While the word “elite” gets thrown around too much, it truly feels like Stützle is about to reach that level of flair already. And the timing couldn’t be better; the Sens truly look like a team ready to challenge for a playoff spot in 2023-24. Many said the same thing last year, but injuries and inconsistent play kept them out of the chase. But even in a dangerous Atlantic Division fight this year, the Sens – with Stützle leading the way – look like serious contenders.
Stützle’s 90-point campaign was, hopefully, the start of bigger things to come for the center. From the offset as a junior-aged player, the skill was so evident. He’s a crafty playmaker with excellent speed, decent strength and a quick release. His ability to pick corners with his wrist shot has carried him far, and he knows it’s a strength.
“I’m really confident in my shot,” Stützle told reporters after Ottawa’s victory Sunday. “I’ve been working on it a lot to get the puck off quicker. That’s what I tried doing all summer.”
According to Evolving-Hockey, Stützle’s 7.9 goals above replacement were the second-best of his career, only bested by his 11 the year prior. But he also took on significantly more responsibility last year, especially in the absence of Josh Norris, as Stutzle’s ice time jumped by more than 200 minutes throughout the season despite playing one fewer game. With 21:16 in average ice time – about three minutes more than his sophomore year – the Sens counted on Stützle more than ever.
Stützle’s two-way game has taken big steps forward compared to his junior days when he rarely needed to spend any time in his own zone. His ability to adapt to any role asked of him makes him such a valuable commodity. And he’s a student of the game that isn’t interested in complacency.
“I want to be able to play in all situations,” Stützle said. “I can keep getting better, putting in a little more stops and starts in the D-zone.”
Stützle is in the first season of an eight-year contract extension he signed before the 2022 preseason, giving him a cap hit of $8.35M. It’s already heralded as one of the best value deals in the NHL and will only look better with time as he heads for his prime.
Ottawa’s contention window is opening, and with Brady Tkachuk, Drake Batherson, Thomas Chabot and Jake Sanderson locked up for the foreseeable future, they’re serious about becoming a legitimate contender. But nobody is more important to the team’s long-term success than Stützle, who should factor into the upper echelon of the scoring charts in 2023-24 – and beyond.
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