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Drafting Ottawa Senators Players to Playoff Teams

By Jack Baines

Mar 1, 2021; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (left) and defenseman Thomas Chabot (72) celebrate after a second goal by right wing Drake Batherson (middle) against the Calgary Flames in the second period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2021; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (left) and defenseman Thomas Chabot (72) celebrate after a second goal by right wing Drake Batherson (middle) against the Calgary Flames in the second period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports /
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6th: Edmonton Oilers – Tim Stützle

German players Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (29) and forward Dominik Kahun (21) and Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stuetzle (18) Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
German players Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (29) and forward Dominik Kahun (21) and Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stuetzle (18) Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports /

Look, sometimes you have to just throw the stats out the window and go with what you know is right. Stützle had a solid rookie season, putting up 12 goals and 29 points in 53 games. But his underlying numbers were less encouraging, with his 44.29 5v5 xGF% ranking behind fanbase-whipping-boys-turned-deadline-castoffs Erik Gubranson and Braydon Coburn. That’s to be expected from a rookie, and the future still looks bright, but ranking him as the team’s 6th best player right now seems like a stretch.

Still, I mean, just look at that picture. If Edmonton takes Stützle, they could put together an all-German line with Dominik Kahun and Leon Draisaitl. I’m no history major (well, actually, I kind of am) but I don’t think a unified Germany has ever been stopped before. Would Dave Tippett split them up after they made one turnover? Yes because he’s an NHL coach and NHL coaches hate fun. But the possibility alone is enough to justify this pick.

Even after dropping Game 1, Edmonton still may be the favourites against the Jets, so why not have a little fun with it? After all, that’s what the 2021 Ottawa Senators are all about.

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