Ranking the top 31 prospects in the 2020 NHL Draft: 2. Tim Stutzle
By Daniel Bruce
Strengths
Skating
Stützle is the best skater in the draft, bar none. His blend of straight-line speed and agility makes him a dynamic presence whenever he steps on the ice.
While he may not be the quote on quote “fastest skater” in the draft, his great acceleration and agility contribute to his great skating profile.
He enters the zone so smoothly on the power play, he uses his great agility with the puck while using his elite speed to turn the defending American forward inside out while entering the zone.
One aspect of Stützle’s game that is so impressive is his ability to maintain his speed with the puck. He looks just as fast skating with it as without it, as evident above.
The top German prospect is relied on heavily, whether against men or in junior, to carry the puck in on the power play and use his speed and agility to create space for him and his teammates.
On the powerplay Stutzle continues to play with speed and generate scoring chances for his teammates.
— OHL Prospects Tracker (@OhlTracker) July 3, 2020
While manning the left point Tim is always moving his feet looking for ways to get open and to receive the pass with speed to force the defenders back and open up a lane. pic.twitter.com/UjMVubU2kT
Even against the gold medal-winning, Canadian team Stützle is able to separate with his speed, he takes a pass in his own end and then runs a quick give and go, where he gets behind the defence for a chance on goal. Impressive ability to skate the whole length of the ice to create a scoring chance.
A common theme: Stützle carries the puck from end to end again. It’s just too fun to watch, he gathers the puck from his own goal line and is immediately defended by a forward, but makes it look so effortless when he zooms by him. Then goes on to beat another defender with his straight-line speed, before using his quick agility to take the center of the ice and set up a great chance for his teammate.
Stützle makes it look so effortless when he’s skating at top speed, he’s so natural in is movements and his speed will translate seamlessly to the NHL.