I shall maintain that dealing for a 2C with term, the Sens are committing Stützle to the wing, which would be an colossal error.

They need to see if he can play the position first. They will know after testing driving the idea this season if he can make that transition or not.

Given the strength of the division, it's unlikely the Sens make the playoffs (but I see hanging around the mix for a while), so experiment with it so that an informed and, shall I say better, long term solution can be made.

He can’t defend yet , I wouldn’t throw him at centre

I said test drive. To see of he can. I would be looking for a shorter term solution. 1-2 years left on the term so on the chance he can, Stützle can transition without the Sens hold the bag on a contract they won't need to carry.

The more I read your $hit, the more impre$$ed I get.

This comment isn't limited to this post. You're having quite a day today.

I truly think the Sens have officially committed permanently to Stutzle at wing. When they first drafted him, they said he will get reps at centre his first season but he didn’t. I don’t think they see him playing the centre spot in the nhl

Thanks! 😆

Hockey pool season is upon me. Thinking cap is seriously on now lol

It's possible they are thinking this way given they have Norris and Pinto. I for one see that as short sighted thinking. Stützle, Norris, Pinto as your top 3 centres moving forward (assuming Stützle can make that tranistion) would be akin to the Spezza, Fisher, Kelly days. Those Sens team were better than good.

They could run that middle for a decade..... and be better than good. IF Stützle can transition

Personally I’d rather keep him at LW and look to acquire a centre or draft one. Ideally this team will look something like this eventually:

Stutzle-XXX-Boucher
Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson
Greig-Pinto-Brown
Formenton-White-Sokolov

Chabot-JBD
Sanderson-Zub
Kleven-Thomson

Murray
Gus

I have Boucher there at 1RW to play the Wilson role but you really need that elite 1C. That’s where I’d love a franchise centreman this draft or even a trade for Eichel or Hertl.

If there’s a deal to be made for a top centre using Brannstrom + Pinto + Jarventie and picks , I would do it. Move White up to 3C and put Kelly or Kastelic at 4C.

It could very well head that direction- see the Leafs with Nylander..... it was apparent rather quickly he was not going to be an effective NHL centre, hence JT and cap hell.

The Sens have the advantage here of having lower expectations going into the year. Experimenting with Stützle at centre isn't going to change those expectations either. What it will do is highlight what the team's next move will be.

Having said that, your package for a 1C is solid, but, find a 1C that can grow with the group is going to be very difficult (excluding Eichel). Hertl gets you 5 years, but, you could very well end up back at the same spot after that, looking for a 1C. 2 of those years will be spent maturing into a contending team.

Looking over the last year, I was surprised not to find the Sens in the Dubois sweeps (not that they would ever match Laine.... that would have been counterproductive), or even a Reinhart (who is a better winger than centre)..... which suggests to me they are planning to see if Stützle has the potential to make the transition. Bring up those two just on the basis of contract control.

In the interim, a short term deal would be where I head, or a guy like Nick Schmaltz - who can also play wing (gives options).

I think it will definitely be a defining year for the Sens, as I think we will get a very good idea of what that top 6 will look like long term

Yeah like pretty sure the Sens should’ve made an offer on Reinhart , that was a great price

Exactly. Why I think they are gonna try Stützle down the middle and gauge things. If they wanted a centre, they were out there for sure.

And next years crop of UFA centres (if Melnyk opens up the pocket book) looks pretty solid if they need to fill a need, or, shuffling could open up the trade market for them.

This year is decision year. No two ways around it.

I wouldn't take Henerquie too old for this team and building a top 6. I have a feeling Sens wanna keep Stützle at wing. I also agree with this idea of Boucher with Stutzle and then another top 6 C, where it is Pinto and they stay second line, or Sing/Trade/Draft another player and they become the first line.

Stutzle-XXX-Boucher