Since the moment Tim Stützle stepped onto NHL ice as a teenager, it was clear the Ottawa Senators had something special. Drafted third overall in 2020, he brought flash, finesse, and the kind of raw skill that jumps off the screen.
But this season, with captain Brady Tkachuk sidelined for 20 games, Stützle didn’t just shine-he evolved. The Senators needed more than highlight-reel plays.
They needed leadership, consistency, and control. And Stützle delivered all three.
Let’s start with the numbers, because they tell a pretty compelling story. In those 20 games without Tkachuk, Stützle put up 11 goals and 11 assists-good for a 1.10 points-per-game average.
That’s not just solid production, that’s elite territory. On a team still trying to find its way into the playoff conversation, those are the kind of numbers that keep the engine running.
He wasn’t just filling the void-he was leading the charge.
Only one other Senator, Drake Batherson, hit the point-per-game mark during that stretch (8 goals, 13 assists). That’s how much of the offensive load Stützle carried.
And it wasn’t just about scoring-he wore the “A” for most of those games, stepping into a leadership role that demanded more than just goals and assists. He brought poise.
He brought presence.
When you stack his production up against the league’s elite-names like Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid-Stützle’s 1.10 PPG pace holds its own. He’s not chasing the Art Ross just yet, but for a 23-year-old center leading a young squad through adversity, that kind of output speaks volumes. It’s a sign that he’s not just a future star-he’s already playing like one.
And then there are the moments that don’t show up in a box score but tell you everything you need to know about a player’s impact. Case in point: a game against the Canadiens.
On the backcheck, Stützle leveled Brendan Gallagher with a clean, heavy hit, picked off a pass, and then went coast-to-coast before undressing Sam Montembeault with a filthy finish to give Ottawa the lead. That sequence?
That was the full package-defensive hustle, physical edge, elite speed, and a scorer’s touch. That’s the kind of play that turns heads in the locker room and sends a message to the rest of the league.
It also showed that Stützle’s game is maturing in all the right ways. He’s not just a finesse player anymore.
He’s making plays in all three zones, showing a willingness to engage physically, and stepping up in big moments. That’s what leadership looks like.
That’s what a franchise cornerstone does.
With Tkachuk back in the lineup, the Senators now have two emotional and offensive pillars to build around. But the stretch without their captain may end up being one of the most important chapters in Stützle’s young career. It forced him to take the reins, and he proved he’s more than ready.
So, what we’re watching right now might just be the best version of Tim Stützle we’ve seen yet-and there’s a good chance it’s only the beginning.