Brad Marchand never misses a chance to poke fun at the league, and this time it was Tim Stützle in his sights.
The Ottawa Senators have been searching for a new captain since trading Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers over the summer. According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, general manager Steve Staios and head coach Travis Green are closing in on a decision, with Thomas Chabot, Stützle, and Jake Sanderson considered the top three candidates for the “C.”
Brad Marchand mocks Tim Stutzle
Marchand couldn’t resist weighing in when the story made its way onto Instagram via the account Puck Empire, leaving a simple but pointed comment: “Hahahah …..stutzle….hahaha.”
It’s not hard to guess why Marchand finds the idea funny. Stützle has developed a reputation around the league for embellishing contact, something that’s followed him for years.
Canadiens veteran Brendan Gallagher called him out directly for it back in 2022, saying Stützle “lays on the ice” and “sells the call” far too often for a player of his talent. Opposing broadcasts and even a Red Wings coach’s on-ice impression of a Stützle dive have gone viral in the years since, and Senators fans themselves have been spotted holding up “Stützle diving” signs at road games.
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Fans quickly picked up on the irony of Marchand being the one to throw the jab, given his own long history of theatrics on the ice. “Not taking character advice from the slew-foot king,” one fan wrote in response. Another joked, “Reminder that Marchand has licked other players more than once.”
Whether or not the comment changes anything in Ottawa’s decision, it’s clear the Senators’ captaincy race has an audience well beyond the locker room.
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