Ducks 2020 Draft Spotlight: Tim Stutzle is a First Round Wildcard

The 2020 NHL Draft may be postponed, but now is the perfect time for the Anaheim Ducks to strategize. Tim Stutzle could be a surprising wildcard.

Hockey has gotten a little weird as of late. Unless you’ve completely tuned out to current events the past few months (I had a patient recently who had not heard about it yet, so yes, there are still a few out there shockingly enough), you’ll have known that the Anaheim Ducks season, and hockey as a whole, has shut down due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Sure, there are rumors and the odd bit of water cooler talk that they’ll try to get things up and running, but the reality is that you can stick a fork in the 2019-2020 season. It’s cooked.

Hockey doesn’t have the draw ability to compete with summer sports. In places like California, the ice will be terrible should they go back. Who cares about going into a shortened playoff format, or playing a tournament style playoffs? It wouldn’t be the Stanley Cup and would forever have an asterisk next to the winners’ mark.

Even more concerning would be the risk to players who haven’t played in months or even likely trained with meaning and purpose. Going straight into a hard playoff series would wreak havoc on their bodies. Shortening the gap between a faux playoff and next season only increases the injury risk for next season.

More to the point, the current lockdowns are simply not going to be finished by then. Argue all you like that business will be back to normal by Easter, yet that doesn’t fit current projections, nor account for the multiple waves that may come with this pandemic before the mass production of a vaccine.

So putting aside the broken and shattered remains of the 2019-2020 season, what’s left to look forward to? The Anaheim Ducks themselves had a season to forget. After a hot start that may have led a few optimistic souls to get carried away, the rest of the league adapted and improved and the Ducks merely stayed the same.

The youth that they internally touted as future superstars and Calder contenders proved to be merely solid and unspectacular role players. They played to their draft positions. The coach that they hyped up so much before the season, was outcoached on a near-nightly basis.

Though one could argue was the lack of improvement in some players, and a clear decline in others, a result of the coach? Or was the coach held back by a lack of talent available? Whichever the reason, the Ducks fandom was not likely to be tuning in to the annual NHL awards ceremony, looking forward to a win, in any category.

For many, the remainder of the season was merely a countdown to the NHL draft lottery, and eventually the draft itself. For some, the continual loss of games produced light at the end of the tunnel. For even despite the draft being at the mercy of the lottery, a season without wins was likely to result in a top 5 draft selection, with the smallest chance of winning the lottery and sneaking into a superstar at the top of the draft.

For a time the Ducks started winning some games and it appeared that the Ducks would play themselves out of the chance to accrue a game-breaking talent, yet they were in part helped by their competitors actively attempting to rebuild their rosters with an eye towards the future. That’s not to say that the Anaheim Ducks didn’t rebuild their team at the trade deadline, just that their moves were made to maybe sneak into the playoffs in the near-to-middling future, and not to create a perennial cup contender in the middling-to-distant future.

Thus with the season over in everything but name, the Ducks sit at 27th in the league. Who knows what the league will do with regards to the draft lottery, and where that will leave the Ducks. My hypothesis is that should the Ducks creep up in the lottery into the 2nd or 3rd draft spot, that they’ll go for either Quinton Byfield or Jamie Drysdale, in that order. However, should they stay still in the 5th spot (with the Ducks luck that in itself may be a minor miracle), they would be ecstatic to select the jet from Germany, Tim Stutzle.

What the Scouts Say About Tim Stutzle

Being a top prospect, there has been a lot of virtual ink being spit about Stutzle, most of it, of course, being quite good.

To start the ball rolling (or puck sliding) Dobber Prospects has a simple piece about him:

“An average-sized offensive forward with excellent speed and quickness. A great playmaker who also knows how to finish his chances. A natural center but has been frequently used at wing. High offensive upside but doesn’t provide much help in peripheral stats.”

To me, this sums the player up fairly succinctly. He is about average size for the NHL and I don’t think that anyone could argue with the playmaker monicker given he’s put up more assists than goals in every tier and season of his hockey career bar his under-16’s season in 2015-2016. The final sentence of that little blurb, however, may push Bob Murray away from him, given his love for “two-way” players who can contribute in all facets of the game equally.

However, further reading from Jokke Nevalainen may somewhat alleviate much of the concern there, if indeed there are any concerns to be had:

“Stützle is an excellent skater who combines high-end speed with incredible quickness. He also has quick hands which make him dangerous in one-on-one situations. He makes sharp and accurate passes, and although known as a pass-first player, he also owns a dangerous wrist shot. On top of all that, Stützle is a very quick thinker which allows him to process plays at top speed and even when he is pressured. Stützle is known as an offensive forward but he has shown significant improvement in his play without the puck and isn’t a defensive liability. He is hungry for loose pucks and has shown great effort in puck-battles when he’s trying to steal the puck. Stützle has a pretty good understanding of his defensive responsibilities and he doesn’t cheat from those. “

The top portion of the comment alludes to the offensive acumen of the player, and like most draft-eligible prospects, the write up is glowing. However, the final portion is perhaps more interesting for Anaheim Ducks fans to latch onto. All too often we saw the incoming prospects this season shy away from puck battles or outright lose the ones they went into.

It also wasn’t unusual to see some of the more highly touted prospects (cough Terry cough) outright cheat or give up entirely on defensive plays. While Stutzle is a different tier of prospect to Troy Terry, and even Sam Steel, it would be a comforting feeling to acquire an offensive-minded prospect who goes bull at the gate to regain lost pucks. Particularly in light of current head coach Dallas Eakins‘ strategy of letting the other team have the puck and score at will.

Another point that Ducks fans may be intrigued to see in action is Stutzles’ speed. Typically a slower skating team over the past decade, primarily due to the team’s best players (Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry) being on the slower side, the new NHL is primarily based on speed and skill over size. Scott Wheeler had the following to say about Stutzle in his mid-season rankings.

“The fastest skater in the draft, Stützle is the kind of attacking forward who takes space and quickly makes it disappear. Defenders either have to build in a larger gap before he gets going, or they have to try to push up on him … and they’re probably going to get burned either way. He shuffles and crosses over up the ice, weaving through the neutral zone to put defenders on their heels and create exits and entries with ease. And though I sometimes worry that he’s too rush-reliant and that he’s not as dangerous within the offensive zone as some of his peers… Stützle is a superb passer and handler who knifes through lanes and finish around the net… His ability to carve through the neutral zone and make defenders turn is super impressive, and then he’s got filthy middle-of-the-ice playmaking once he gets there.”

The article may also highlight a cause for a changing of the guard in Anaheim should Stutzle be drafted. For many years, the Ducks’ best offense came on the back of a somewhat unique behind-the-net cycle game that the Getzlaf-Perry duo patented. This was primarily driven by dump and chase style of hockey that was in a large part orchestrated by Randy Carlyle while he was in charge of the Ducks bench. This style heavily influenced current coach Eakins philosophy, as the Ducks, last season dumped the puck in more than they had any year previously, and interestingly enough more on the power play than they did at even strength.

Drafting Stutzle who currently appears to be stronger on the rush than cycling in the offensive zone, and who is not strong on the forecheck, would suggest an alteration of playstyle going into the future. Though the recent trade of Ondrej Kase, who played a similar style may also suggest Stutzle isn’t exactly what the Ducks are looking for in their players.

Like many draft-eligible players, Stutzle has also had his coaches and teammates come out to bat for him. These may, in fact, be a stronger indication of the player than any commentary about his play could possibly be.  An article in Sportnet presented some quotes from head coach Tobias Abstreiter regarding the hype surrounding the player and how he’s managed to stay grounded through it all:

“It’s unbelievable the way he’s dealing with that. He’s a very good character guy. He knows what’s important. It doesn’t affect him. At this age, it’s very impressive.”

It seems as though Stutzle is considered to be a well-spoken young man who doesn’t appear to talk himself up, instead, allowing his play on the ice to tell the story. This is a league, and at tournaments where his opponents are often older and more experienced than he is. An analysis by NHL central scouting has the following to say.

“He’s also a little bit cocky on the ice, but in a positive way.”

This further cements Stutzle as a guy who lets his actions speak louder than his words. A premise which is backed up by his teammate and international captain Moritz Seider (drafted by Detroit #6 in 2019):

“He’s a humble kid. He’s performing every single night. He has to learn a couple things, but he will adjust quick and has a bright future.”

All in all, a Stutzle appears to be a hard-working player, who remains grounded despite the hype. He may not entirely be the cup of tea for American fans who like glitz and glamour and talking a big game, but for fans who appreciate quiet excellence and who understand the phrase “walk softly but carry a big stick,” Stutzle looks like a player they appreciate for a decade to come.

While not necessarily a comment, this play-by-play piece by Tony Ferrari is too good not to include in any draft piece about Stutzle. A break down of notable plays during a game and how Stutzle acts as a facilitator offensively, as well as highlighting some strong defensive play and transition work. Further commentary, regarding Stutzle and his play, from draft pundits, can be found here.

How Does Tim Stutzel fit into the Anaheim Ducks Future Plans?

At first blush, Stutzle doesn’t readily appear to slide into the Ducks plans in the next few seasons. Already boasting Ryan Getzlaf and Adam Henrique as the steady veterans, the Ducks have added numerous players taken to the center ice position in recent drafts. Sam Steel is one such player set for a top-6 role, while Benoit-Oliver Groulx seems set to take a 3rd line role in the next season or two.

However, the Seattle expansion draft is coming up and there is the possibility that the Ducks let Henrique go. Similarly, Getzlaf is getting on in years and Bob Murray has indicated that he would prefer Getzlaf to retire rather than continue when his contract is up. However, Stutzle shouldn’t necessarily be pushed aside even should Henrique remain and Getzlaf continue.

Stutzle’s versatility to play any forward position may, in fact, be of even greater benefit to the Ducks than some other teams, given last season’s selection of Trevor Zegras. Zegras is listed as a center, however, some draft pundits have suggested he may be a better fit in the NHL as a wing.

The potential to be able to line him up with Stutzle may allow for the coach at the time to interchangeably utilize either player at either position depending on the nature of the draw or in-game situation. The New York Islanders a few years back, for example, would alternate John Tavares and Kyle Okposo between center and wing (and use a different playbook) if consecutive draws were within a certain period of time.

This made their power play a little more difficult to contain. It’s a Voltron type scenario that the Ducks could easily foresee in 3-4 years time when both Zegras and Stutzle would come into their full powers.

The 3-4 year time frame surely sees an end to the Getzlaf at #1 era, no matter what occurs with his next contract. It would not be unusual for the Ducks to envisage a lineup of the following current prospects and players:

Max Comtois – Trevor Zegras/Tim Stutzle – Tim Stutzle/Trevor Zegras

Brayden Tracey – Sam Steel – Sonny Milano

Max Jones – Benoit-Oliver Groulx – Danton Heinen

XXX – XXX – XXX

That isn’t including the Boston selection this season at the tail end of the first round, which is also likely to be a forward given the projected shape of the draft and the forward depth on offer. It wouldn’t surprise to see any number of the above players be shifted out for future picks, or to solidify what will be an aging and still fairly weak defensive unit. Nonetheless, Stutzle provides enough versatility that should Zegras stumble, they have a potential #1 center ready to switch places with him in a heartbeat.

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• Anaheim Ducks 2021 NHL Entry Draft Round One Primer

Perhaps more pertinent is that Stutzle’s hockey IQ is perceived as extremely high. He thinks the game rapidly and appears to be constantly reading the play. This combined with his positioning and situational awareness, makes him a threat in the offensive end, and a capable player defensively. When he sees a player step out of position to move to the puck, he has the presence of mind to step back and fill-in for them.

Perhaps in part due to his low-key temperament as a person, combined with his superior vision, Stutzle seems content to make simple plays and let the play develop rather than force situations that may contribute to turnovers and counter-attacks from the opposition. His patience in this manner makes me a threat at even strength, but perhaps more so on the power play, where he can out-wait the defense before threading the needle to a teammate in an advantageous scoring position.

With Getzlaf getting long in the tooth, the Anaheim Ducks could sorely use a lethal playmaker on the power play. With Zegras already in the fold, the Ducks would have the option of playing them apart on separate units or bringing them together to facilitate a power-play scheme that is heavily reliant on cross-ice passing through the royal road and forcing the lateral movement of the opposition netminder.

For a power play that has wallowed in the bottom half of the league for seemingly a decade, the abundance of riches should have fans salivating. Only the acquisition of a big-time goal scorer would be required to turn that ship around in no time flat.

At the end of the day, the Anaheim Ducks can’t go wrong with any selection they make with their first overall pick. Depending on where they land, they could have the choice of near anyone they want. Tim Stutzle has certainly done enough this season to warrant his name being in the discussion of being the equal highest draft pick in Anaheim Ducks draft history (Bobby Ryan, 2nd overall in 2005), and I’m certain that Bob Murray and his scouting department will be looking at him heavily.

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