At the 2020 NHL Draft, the Ottawa Senators were in depserate need of drafting a player to help build their franchise along with Brady Tkachuk. To do that, the Senators selected Tim Stutzle with the third overall pick in the draft. The selection of Stutzle paid off big time for the Senators
In the 2024-25 season, Stutzle was a big reason why the Senators made the playoffs for the first time in eight years. Stutzle led the Senators with 79 points and 55 assists during the season. Stutzle also recorded five points for the Senators during the 2025 playoffs, and recorded a three-point game in Ottawa's Game 5 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Along with helping the Senators make the 2025 playoffs, Stutzle's 326 career point are the most among any player from the 2020 draft class.
Recently, Stutzle was selected as one of the first six players to be on Germany's roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics. However, as good of a player Stutzle is, the chances to be a captain for Germany is unlikely due to one superstar player in the NHL.
Stutzle beating out Drasaitl for being Germany's captain can be very unlikely
There's no secret that Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers is one of the best players in the NHL. Having Stutzle and Draisaitl on the same team for Germany at the 2026 Olympics will form one of the best duos among all of the teams competing to capture the goal, but Germany can likely lean toward Draisaitl being the captain over Stutzle.
At 23 years old, Stutzle hasn't quite had the experience or leadership that Draisaitl brings to a team. Draisaitl will turn 30 years old in October, and is one of the better leaders on the Oilers along with his teammate and Oilers captain Connor McDavid.
Stutzle also doesn't have much experience that Draisaitl has on a big stage. While Stutzle has played in six career playoff games, which all came in 2025, Draisatil has played in 96 playoffs game and has recorded 141 playoff points.
Despite losing in back-to-back years to the Florida Panthers, Draisaitl has the experience of playing in the Stanley Cup Finals unlike Stutzle. In the 2025 playoffs, Draisaitl was incredible with recording 33 points.
Draisaitl also has recorded six 100-point seasons while Stutzle's highest point total for a single season is 90 points. Draisaitl also has won a Hart Trophy in his career.
Stutzle is still a talented player that the Senators are fortunate to have on their team. Stutzle will be eager to help the Senators have a better season in 2025-26. However, being captain of Germany at the 2026 Olympics might not be in the picture for Stutzle.