Ottawa Senators’ Tim Stutzle exits game with upper-body injury

The Ottawa Senators have announced that forward Tim Stutzle sustained an upper-body injury against the Anaheim Ducks Monday. The injury occurred during the first period of action when Stutzle and Ducks’ forward Brett Leason collided along the boards, Leason received a two-minute minor for interference. Stutzle did not return to the game, he logged just 2:59 of ice time.

Stutzle entered Monday’s game with 27 points (10G, 17A) in 27 games and is second on the Sens in scoring sitting behind captain Brady Tkachuk. The Viersen, Germany product was the third overall selection in the 2020 NHL Draft and immediately made the jump to the NHL. In his rookie campaign, he notched 29 points (12G, 17A) in 53 games. Last season, he elevated his game and broke out, registering 58 points (22G, 36A) in 79 games. That performance led him to sign a massive eight-year $68 million contract extension with the Senators in September with an average annual value of $8.2 million, the deal made him the highest-paid player on the Senators roster.

Furthermore, the Senators also lost forward Tyler Motte, who sustained an upper-body injury during the first period of action. Motte signed a one-year $1.35 million deal with the Senators in September. Motte played 49 games last season with the Vancouver Canucks, racking up seven goals and eight assists for 15 points before being dealt to the New York Rangers at the trade deadline. Motte’s depth role helped the Rangers go on a run to the Eastern Conference Final. He registered two goals in 15 playoff games. So far this season, eight points (2G, 6A) in 28 games. The Senators currently sit in last place in the Atlantic Division.