Last week, we discussed the not-so great news that Ottawa Senators prospect Tim Stutzle joining the team next season might have hit a slight snag. Despite an arm injury, there was contract complications that could affect his being NHL eligible. There are updates on that story today with news that appears to be favorable for the Senators organization.
Related: Tim Stuztle Contract Snag Mean Senators Could Lose Him 20/21 Season
Stutzle is still under contract with Mannheim this season and reports surfaced that, as per a rule, unless he was released from that contract, he couldn’t join the Senators in the NHL next season. Considering many NHL scouts had Stutzle pegged as a player who could make the NHL next season, that wasn’t great news for the Sens who might have been counting on getting him some NHL action.
It certainly wasn’t definitive that Stutzle was being ruled out of NHL action and considering he is currently dealing with an injury, there’s no rush on the decision. But, the situation was bound to get more complicated as time passed by and the season approached.
The good news, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, is that the expectation is Stutzle will join the Senators at their training camp. Garrioch writes:
Though there has been some consternation because Stuetzle is under contract with Mannheim, it’s expected he will be released from that deal to come to Ottawa whenever camp begins. Since there’s no timetable in place and he’s recovering from a broken hand, there’s no rush for now.
Stutzle Could Play for Germany at World Juniors
In even better news, there’s speculation Stutzle might bounce back from his hand injury in time to join Germany at the World Junior Championships in Alberta in late December and January.
This is excellent news for the Senators as just a week ago, it looked like things could get dicey. Now, not only does it seem like his German contract won’t be an issue, but the center could get time to prep for the NHL in a tournament almost every hockey fan will be watching.
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