Ottawa Senators’ Tim Stutzle to miss game Saturday on his own bobblehead night

Unfortunate timing for one of the game’s best young players to be out of the lineup.

When speaking to the media, Ottawa Senators head coach Jacques Martin revealed that forward Tim Stutzle will miss Saturday night’s game against the New Jersey Devils.

The injury is bad timing, not just because the Senators will be missing one of their star players, but also because Saturday night is Fan Appreciation Night at Canadian Tire Centre, and the first 10,000 fans are going to receive Stutzle bobbleheads.

Stutzle is currently listed as day-to-day. He was hit by Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola during Ottawa’s 6-0 loss on Thursday. What is ailing the 2020 third-overall pick is not publicly known.

The German-born star has been healthy all season after missing four games last year with a shoulder injury. In 75 games in 2023-24, Stutzle has scored 18 goals and 70 points, leading the Senators in scoring.

In four seasons in Ottawa, Stutzle has played in 285 games, potting 91 goals and 156 assists. He is in the first year of an eight-year contract with the Sens, with an AAV of $8.35 million.

Martin also noted on Saturday that defenseman Thomas Chabot will be back in the lineup against the Devils. The 27-year-old has missed the last four games after leaving Ottawa’s matchup with the Buffalo Sabres on March 27 with a lower-body injury.

Forward Boko Imama, who was called up from the AHL’s Belleville Senators on Saturday morning, is expected to draw into the lineup against New Jersey as well.

The Senators (33-38-4) are tied with the Montreal Canadiens for last place in the Atlantic Division, eight points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the worst record in the Eastern Conference.