The Tim Stutzle problem

Team: 2021-22 Ottawa Senators

Initial Creation Date: Oct. 19, 2021

Published: Oct. 19, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

With Brady returning to slot in as the number 1 LW on the Norris-Batherson line, it raises some questions about who exactly Tim Stützle is going to play with. Obviously the no brainer move to me is to stick him with Pinto-Brown, but I'm not entirely convinced that that DJ Smith wants to go away from the Paul-Pinto-Brown line. Since they were put together, Smith has really seemed to have fallen in love with that trio, referring to it as his "Identity Line" and praising them as a shutdown line he can put against anyone. I think he's going to wants to have that trio together to throw at top lines, at least at home when the Sens get their favorable matches.

I think we might see two different groups at home vs the road. I think we'll see a lot of that shutdown trio at home, when Ottawa gets to pick their matchups, but on the road, I think the load up with Stützle on that line instead. The problem is who do you play Stützle when you choose to lean on that shutdown line? I guess the obvious choice right now is Tierney-Ennis, but that really is nowhere near good enough. Perhaps though, this becomes an opportune moment to experiment with Tim Stützle as a C. I don't really think he is, but I think having two strong lines without Stützle let's you experiment with something like that.