My take on Stu contract

Équipe: 2022-23 Sénateurs d'Ottawa

Date de création initiale: 7 sept. 2022

Publié: 7 sept. 2022

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

I think this is a very good deal for a few reasons:

1. The cap is going to go up massively in 2 years. This deal will be much better value after that increase, which also coincides with when ottawa realistically could enter their cup contending window.

2. This contract should contribute to helping the sens avoid a “Leafs situation”. That being the leafs have their core 4 forwards locked up long term for a lot of money - too much money, in fact. The leafs have struggled filling the other 8 forward spots as a result of how much they pay the big 4. By getting ahead of the stuetzle contract (signing him before he has a massive breakout) they avoid the risk of waiting and having to give stuetzle a 10 M contract later. Notice the sens also signed Norris and Tkachuk to contracts around 8 M, having these 3 under contract at 8 M (I am more skeptical about Norris) before the cap goes up (and they would be due more money) should help them maintain depth throughout their lineup.

3. Wether you are a stü believer or not, it is an undeniable fact that his point totals will be inflated by his linemates this year as he is presumably playing with cat and Giroux. Playing with much better linemates drastically improves his chances at a massive breakout year so it is smart to sign him before that.