Ottawa Senators Take Bet on Süperstar Talent, Extend Stützle 8-Years
Dorion Continues to lock down core pieces, inking Stützle for 8-years
On what seemed like a typical Wednesday in early September, Senators General Manager Pierre Dorion and Tim Stützle’s agent Ben Hankinson of Octagon Hockey were able to come to terms on an 8-year, $66.8M contract that’s worth $8.35M annually.
Stützle and Dorion announced the move at the Senators’ Season Start-Up event, a great event that featured several key faces from the community and Sens Twitter.
EIGHT YEAR EXTENSION FOR TIM pic.twitter.com/4GSDksdvuf
— Kevin Lee (@BringBackLee) September 7, 2022
This contract will make Stützle the Senators’ highest-paid player when it comes into effect during the 2023-24 season, and chances are it will already be looking like a bargain at that point. The way the 20-year-old was able smoothly transition and eventually thrive in the middle of the ice should give the Senators increased confidence in the position and surely played a factor in their willingness to get this deal done.
Senators GM Pierre Dorion was quite-candid when describing Stützle’s ceiling as a player:
“High, very high. I think Tim can be a superstar. You look at every part of his game: he’s competitive, he’s dynamic, he’s got speed, he’s got skill, he has great hockey instincts, he’s learned how to check, he’s learned how to play center.”
Expectations are certainly high for Stützle coming into his 3rd season, especially with the additions of Claude Giroux and Alex DeBrincat, who are also slated to start the season alongside the talented German. With Stützle’s superb package of elite skating, tremendous 1-on-1 skill, and competitive nature, all signs point to him riding his upward trajectory into superstar status. His standout skill was on full display last season, especially in the latter half of the season.
Another aspect of Stützle’s game that flew under the radar last season was his defence, it improved drastically from his rookie season, and he was a positive contributor defensively for the Senators. His relentless motor and nonstop activity on the ice should allow his defence even more opportunity to grow, while his terrific puck handling and short area quickness lend to his zone exit ability.
Stützle’s production through his first two NHL seasons has him forecasted quite positively in some models, with many thinking that he has the makings of a future star in this league.
Seems that every notable 2nd contract these days starts with an 8. Tim Stutzle the newest to join that list. Stutzle is evolving into a star in real time. Might take a few more years to fully produce at that $8.35M value but should be worth it over the long run. pic.twitter.com/AQ8vL3TCqb
— Byron Bader (@ByronMBader) September 7, 2022
This continues the “unparalleled” offseason that the franchise has had, they seem to be fully invested in the team they’ve created as they should be, and they’ve compiled a crop of young talent that rivals any team in the NHL.
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While it may seem unrealistic to some, it shouldn’t be out of the question that Stützle could produce at a point-per-game pace next season. In the final 35 games last season, the talented forward was able to record 35 points, now with established NHL stars Alex DeBrincat and Claude Giroux starting the season on his wings, it seems like the sky’s the limit.