After missing the playoffs for three consecutive seasons, the Ottawa Senators needed to hit the jackpot at the 2020 NHL Draft in the first round. The Senators would hit the jackpot with the third overall pick in the draft on a German forward.
The Senators would draft Tim Stutzle and he would become a major part of the Senators roster by his third season in 2022-23. Fast forward to 2025, Stutzle was a major reason the Senators clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2017.
What's good about Stutzle for the Senators is he's under contract until 2031. Stutzle has turned into one of the fastest rising players in the NHL. While some fans may not think he's a superstar, these stats show that he is.
Stutzle dominating active NHL players who are 23 years old or younger
Stutzle is a franchise player for the Senators at 23 years old, and his play shows why. Today, the NHL posted which active players have the most goals, assists and points who are 23 years old or younger.
In stats that might sound shocking to some, Stutzle leads all three categories.
The League's young stars sure know how to put up points! 🔢 #NHLYoungStarsWeek pic.twitter.com/1HcOTv3lNy
— NHL (@NHL) July 14, 2025
Stutzle has recorded 115 goals, 211 assists and 326 career points in his NHL career while playing in 367 games.
Stutzle started his career finishing ninth in Calder Trophy voting in 2021 when he recorded 29 points. In the following 2021-22 season, Stutzle recorded 58 points. It was in the 2022-23 season when the NHL first saw Stutzle rising play.
In the 2022-23 season, Stutzle recorded a career-high 90 points. For the past two seasons, Stutzle has recorded at least 70 points.
Stutzle led the Senators with 55 assists and 79 points in the 2024-25 season to help the Senators end an eight-year playoff drought.
Stutzle will turn 24 years old on Jan. 15, 2026. That gives Stutzle time during the 2025-26 season to add more points to his career total at age 23.
At the 2020 NHL Draft, the hype was around Alexis Lafreniere, who was taken first overall by the New York Rangers. However, Stutzle has been the better player in the whole 2020 class. Along with recording the most goals, assists and points at 23 or younger, Stutzle has also recorded the most points out of any player from the 2020 draft.
The hockey world will watch Stutzle more in 2026 when he will represent Germany at the Winter Olympics. Stutzle was one of the first six players named to Germany's roster. With the career he's had, Stutzle being named to Germany's roster shouldn't have come as a shock.
Stutzle will be relied on more by the Senators in 2025-26. With making the playoffs in 2025, expectations for Stutzle and the Senators will be higher than last season.