For the Ottawa Senators, the new NHL season begins on Thursday with a difficult away game at the Tampa Bay Lightning. It is quite possible that Deb striker Tim Stützle will be used in a new role at the first game of the season in Florida, which he was already able to perform in the preseason.
“The coaches have to decide,” said the German in the talks Nhl.de on the question Whether he will also be used in the regular season in the penalty killing. There he had been able to convince in the preparatory games. “As a power play specialist, of course I can read the outnumbered games just as well.”
For the 23-year-old, more ice age would be less in the field “a great experience. If the coaches want me to be in the penalty killing, I like to do it. If not, I just fire the boys from the outside,” said the native Viersener, who looks optimistic about the season that starts this week.
NHL: Ottawa Senators with a new squad width
“We have many good players in the team who can be used variable, on the wings or in the middle. This is definitely a plus point,” said the German ice hockey national player: “Especially with regard to the long season, in which injury-related failures can always occur. It is important to have enough people with quality.”
It is particularly important for the senators. After the game at the Lightning, the away game at the Florida Panters is waiting for a real yardstick. “This means that we cannot lean back, but have to be ready immediately,” the attacker looks ahead of the endurance test at the reigning champion.
The senators don’t want to hide there either. “We had a solid preparation and are pretty good. Everyone has taken a step forward,” says the offensive player: “Our opponents now know that we have a good team. They will no longer underestimate us, but will play with full strength. But we are prepared for it and know how to fight back.”