Some trades spark endless debate among fans. Ottawa’s big one is the Erik Karlsson trade to San Jose. At the time, it seemed like the Senators were selling the family cottage for a bag of lawn clippings and calling it a win. People were raging, confused, dramatic as hell—Senators fans can turn into a lively mob when they’re fired up.
But now, with a bit of distance? That deal looks like one of the great heists of the modern NHL. Mostly because that “mystery” first-round pick turned into the guy who pretty much is the Senators franchise today: Tim Stützle.
The Day the Senators Bet on Hope
September 2018: Ottawa was pure chaos. Karlsson wanted to be gone, management was lobbing grenades blindfolded, and everyone just wanted the damn soap opera to stop. They traded him to San Jose, but the return felt like they’d raided the Sharks’ junk drawer and grabbed whatever was left in the bottom.
Chris Tierney, Dylan DeMelo, Rudolfs Balcers, Josh Norris, a second-rounder, and some conditional picks. Senators fans tried to talk themselves into it, but it wasn’t easy. The real prize was that one unprotected first-rounder that depended on how the Sharks finished.
San Jose nosedived perfectly, giving Ottawa the No. 3 pick in 2020. That flip changed everything. You don’t randomly land a Tim Stützle. It took a stroke of luck and good scouting for Ottawa to land a player like him.
Karlsson Thrived for a Bit in San Jose, But Ottawa Hit the Jackpot
Karlsson did what Karlsson does. While Karlsson dazzled initially, injuries have plagued him. Despite winning the 2023 Norris Trophy, San Jose struggled with his contract. He’s a great player and a one-day Hall of Famer. There’s no argument. But San Jose ended up drowning in that contract, and they’re still trying to dig themselves out.
Meanwhile, Ottawa got a player who’s redefining the franchise. Stützle’s electric every night. He brings speed, swagger, and finish. In easy language, he’s the whole package. He’s the kind of kid you build statues for someday. And he came from that one conditional pick, people shrugged at back in 2018.
When you trade a superstar at the end of his peak and end up with your next superstar just entering his? That’s more than good luck. That’s your franchise slipping into a brand new chapter without even realizing it.
Bottom Line: The Sens Didn’t Just Win—They Reset Their Entire Future
It’s funny looking back now. What felt like a defeat at the time is probably the move Sens fans will remember most fondly when this core finally pops. Without that trade, there’s no Stützle. And without Stützle, Ottawa’s rebuild is still stuck in neutral.
Sometimes the hockey world tries to overthink these things. This one? Nice and simple: Ottawa made a gutsy call, and it changed everything.
Related: Olle Lycksell Is Bailing on the NHL for Switzerland, Why?
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