Tim Stutzle Takes A Shot At A Big Name

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Austin Sabourin
September 9, 2023 (1:22 PM)

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The Ottawa Senators made headlines this summer in their search for a new owner, attracting attention from various groups, including actor Ryan Reynolds and rapper Snoop Dogg. Eventually, Michael Andlauer, who also had a minority stake in the Montreal Canadiens, secured ownership.

Another significant news item was the departure of former Blackhawks forward Alex DeBrincat. In a meeting with general manager Pierre Dorion, DeBrincat expressed his lack of interest in a long-term stay with the Senators. This decision led to a trade, as Dorion had acquired DeBrincat from the Chicago Blackhawks the previous year to boost the team's offense.

After several months of negotiations and trade discussions, the Senators struck a deal with the Detroit Red Wings. The trade sent DeBrincat to the Motor City in exchange for Dominik Kubalik, prospect Donovan Sebrango, a conditional first-round pick in 2024, and a fourth-round pick in 2024.

While most Senators players have remained silent on the DeBrincat trade, Tim Stutzle shared his perspective during an interview with Jeff Marek and Elliot Friedman of the "32 Thoughts" Podcast.

"I mean, I don't think you can, I mean, expect DeBrincat to stay. It's his choice. You can say whatever you want. If he doesn't want to be there, then I don't want to make him have to be there. You know, like, it's fine with us. I think the whole group, we've been saying it. We want him to stay. We want him to be a part of this group. And he's a great guy, a great player," Stutzle said. Stutzle added, "But in the end, if you don't want to be there, then good luck on your way."

The consensus among Senators players seems to be that they respect DeBrincat's choice, recognizing that this is a business in the NHL. The trend of players choosing their teams, similar to what Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau did in previous offseasons, is on the rise. As the salary cap continues to increase, more players may follow suit and explore their options early in their careers.

Source hawksinsider