Player Discussion Tim Stützle - (C) - Part VI

For clarity, I go to most games and watch every game. There is a definite lack in overall team toughness.

Stu has been chased by Habs all season. The Panthers took dangerous runs at him up until the last few minutes of our last game.

To me, someone absolutely should have grabbed Gallagher and forced him to scrap.

Going back to when he called Timmy out in the presser, I have been waiting for someone to smack him, but we never have any response.

I know I am not the only one who wishes the guys had stepped up to show their support of Stu.
I agree the team could use more toughness. I think even getting one player like Neil would be a massive step in the direction, Neil's toughness rubbed off on the other players, they felt confident they would be able to back anything up. Brady is just as tough as Neil, but he's too good a player to be the one taking the fights.
 
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We have a lot of players who are "strong" but not really "tough". I would say if I could choose one guy to represent that it would be Kleven. Guy is a monster but doesn't have even a hint of a mean streak (although he did in college).

I like that players like Perron/Greig/Cousins are scrappy but they're not big and heavy. We really do need someone other than Tkachuk in that top 9/bottom 4 D who can throw his weight around with a mean streak.
 
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I agree the team could use more toughness. I think even getting one player like Neil would be a massive step in the direction, Neil's toughness rubbed off on the other players, they felt confident they would be able to back anything up. Brady is just as tough as Neil, but he's too good a player to be the one taking the fights.
Yeah, lets just go find a guy just like the unicorn that is Chris Neil. A tough guy that can win fights, hits like a truck and yet skilled enough to play a regular shift without being a liability. :eyeroll:
 
Yeah, lets just go find a guy just like the unicorn that is Chris Neil. A tough guy that can win fights, hits like a truck and yet skilled enough to play a regular shift without being a liability. :eyeroll:
Yeah unfortunately a player like Neil is tougher than ever to come by these days.
 
There is no need to get hung up on getting the 'perfect' tough guy. The Senators need a player or two on the team who can take some of the physical burden off of Brady Tkachuk; and that includes both hitting and fighting. I think the recent recall of Hayden Hodgson suggests that management have a similar viewpoint. He's not going to cut it long-term, but he's the only option available right now.
 
I’ve been dumping on him for a week or two so it was good to see that performance yesterday. Hope it’s a sign of what’s to come and not a one off.
 
We have a lot of players who are "strong" but not really "tough". I would say if I could choose one guy to represent that it would be Kleven. Guy is a monster but doesn't have even a hint of a mean streak (although he did in college).

I like that players like Perron/Greig/Cousins are scrappy but they're not big and heavy. We really do need someone other than Tkachuk in that top 9/bottom 4 D who can throw his weight around with a mean streak.
He is a rookie, its going to come. He is also not close to being done developing physically. We need a big heavy 4th line center. Honestly Ostapchuk or Kasatelic would be perfect. Maybe sign a guy like Novak in the offseason. Have really liked Hogdsons game so far.
 
There is no need to get hung up on getting the 'perfect' tough guy. The Senators need a player or two on the team who can take some of the physical burden off of Brady Tkachuk; and that includes both hitting and fighting. I think the recent recall of Hayden Hodgson suggests that management have a similar viewpoint. He's not going to cut it long-term, but he's the only option available right now.
if he keeps up his foot speed and the coach doesnt overplay him he could be the right fit to be honest. Granted its only been 2 games but there hasnt been a shift where i thought he was too slow, or that it was clear the trailer/last man back was hodgson. That is huge. The coach would just need to be a bit more creative in managing his minutes because at if we use this years roster at full health we have cousins and zetterlund on the 4th line. Cousins and Zetterlund can play 12-14 minutes without costing us. I dont have that confidence in Hodgson yet. If we can manage his minutes in the 8-10 range i think its a good fit
 
The fact he is an instant fan favourite just by skating hard and finishing checks says a lot. We haven't had that guy in a while. He seems to be defensively aware and makes sure he doesn't get caught up ice, and he has had a couple of good shots on net, while also being a net front presence a few times.

Simple, but effective.
 
Yeah, lets just go find a guy just like the unicorn that is Chris Neil. A tough guy that can win fights, hits like a truck and yet skilled enough to play a regular shift without being a liability. :eyeroll:
Those are the search requirements. Go find one Mr. Staios and scouting staff!
 
For clarity, I go to most games and watch every game. There is a definite lack in overall team toughness.

Stu has been chased by Habs all season. The Panthers took dangerous runs at him up until the last few minutes of our last game.

To me, someone absolutely should have grabbed Gallagher and forced him to scrap.

Going back to when he called Timmy out in the presser, I have been waiting for someone to smack him, but we never have any response.

I know I am not the only one who wishes the guys had stepped up to show their support of Stu.
I don't disagree that someone needs to smack Gallagher. I am not sure smacking Gallagher has anything to do with team toughness, as he's not what I would consider tough. He's a pest as best. Name some out and out scrappers on the Panthers. Most are simply role players. There are a few scrappers on Montreal. I would like to see someone on our team level Xhekaj for that dirty hit he tried to put on Stü in the pre season.
 
I don't disagree that someone needs to smack Gallagher. I am not sure smacking Gallagher has anything to do with team toughness, as he's not what I would consider tough. He's a pest as best. Name some out and out scrappers on the Panthers. Most are simply role players. There are a few scrappers on Montreal. I would like to see someone on our team level Xhekaj for that dirty hit he tried to put on Stü in the pre season.
You just made my point. You don't need nuclear options these days, you need team toughness. Guys that will jump in and take on another middleweight to stick up for their guy.

I am looking at Batherson, Kleven, Perron (he looked like he wanted to get at Gallagher but was restrained), Pinto, Greig. Stu has been straight up targeted by a few teams to close out the season (and by the HABS all season). For us to let all that go, and never challenge anyone, isn't a good look in my books. If it was 1 game, sure. This has been going on for a while, and it's time someone did something.
 
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I don't know. There is a fine line between discipline and being taken advantage of.

Stu was crosschecked by Anderson and then Gallagher 3 times as that scrum broke out.

To his credit, Perron seemed like he was coming in hard to get Gallagher, but got caught in the mix of bodies.

Plus, there was a lot of game left. You need to take runs at Suzuki, Hutson, etc...

If need Brady just to do the basics of team toughness, we are further away than I thought.
Then next shift, Stu sends baldy flying into the boards.
Go after Hutson.
 
I don't disagree that someone needs to smack Gallagher. I am not sure smacking Gallagher has anything to do with team toughness, as he's not what I would consider tough. He's a pest as best. Name some out and out scrappers on the Panthers. Most are simply role players. There are a few scrappers on Montreal. I would like to see someone on our team level Xhekaj for that dirty hit he tried to put on Stü in the pre season.
You just made my point. You don't need nuclear options these days, you need team toughness. Guys that will jump in and take on another middleweight to stick up for their guy.

I am looking at Batherson, Kleven, Perron (he looked like he wanted to get at Gallagher but was restrained), Cozens, Pinto, Greig. Stu has been straight up targeted by a few teams to close out the season (and by the HABS all season). For us to let all that go, and never challenge anyone, isn't a good look in my books. If it was 1 game, sure. This has been going on for a while, and it's time someone did something.
Then next shift, Stu sends baldy flying into the boards.
Yes, he did. Right after that Anderson took a run at Stu and sent him flying on a late hit. No response
Go after Hutson.
Absolutely! And Suzuki, Caufield, etc...make it known we are targeting them.
 
You just made my point. You don't need nuclear options these days, you need team toughness. Guys that will jump in and take on another middleweight to stick up for their guy.

I am looking at Batherson, Kleven, Perron (he looked like he wanted to get at Gallagher but was restrained), Cozens, Pinto, Greig. Stu has been straight up targeted by a few teams to close out the season (and by the HABS all season). For us to let all that go, and never challenge anyone, isn't a good look in my books. If it was 1 game, sure. This has been going on for a while, and it's time someone did something.

Yes, he did. Right after that Anderson took a run at Stu and sent him flying on a late hit. No response

Absolutely! And Suzuki, Caufield, etc...make it known we are targeting them.
Kleven and Perron I'll give you. Batherson has never really been that type of player. But maybe that's what we need more of from him.
 
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For clarity, I go to most games and watch every game. There is a definite lack in overall team toughness.

Stu has been chased by Habs all season. The Panthers took dangerous runs at him up until the last few minutes of our last game.

To me, someone absolutely should have grabbed Gallagher and forced him to scrap.

Going back to when he called Timmy out in the presser, I have been waiting for someone to smack him, but we never have any response.

I know I am not the only one who wishes the guys had stepped up to show their support of Stu.

I didn't think anything needed to be done with Gallagher. He tried getting Stutzle off his game and it didn't work at all. When he was pulling on his jersey by the bench, Stutzle and everybody else took that as laughable.

Stu took care of it himself easily and that's a better message to send than taking stupid penalties on a guy that's the human equivalent of a gnat
 
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I didn't think anything needed to be done with Gallagher. He tried getting Stutzle off his game and it didn't work at all. When he was pulling on his jersey by the bench, Stutzle and everybody else took that as laughable.

Stu took care of it himself easily and that's a better message to send than taking stupid penalties on a guy that's the human equivalent of a gnat
It isn't about that 1 play though. Gallagher had the balls to call Stu out in a presser a few years ago after he took a cheap shot and since then he goes out of his way to go after him. Same with numerous other players.

Sending messages is still a thing in the NHL and the team should be making sure teams knows they can't run and harass Stu without paying a price. It makes no sense to force Stu to deal with all that, and leave him on his own.
 
It isn't about that 1 play though. Gallagher had the balls to call Stu out in a presser a few years ago after he took a cheap shot and since then he goes out of his way to go after him. Same with numerous other players.

Sending messages is still a thing in the NHL and the team should be making sure teams knows they can't run and harass Stu without paying a price. It makes no sense to force Stu to deal with all that, and leave him on his own.

If it's Tom Wilson doing that on Stutzle, Brady is going to jump in and take care of it. Gallagher is a rat that can't physically impose himself on anyone and Stutzle took care of it.

You have to be selective. If Cousins was agitating Marner and the leafs take a penalty to stand up to it, we win that transaction. Cousins won't stop being a pest, we get a PP, and Marner will still get bothered. Timmy can handle himself against the rats.

And with the playoffs specifically, Toronto has more to worry about because they don't have an answer to Tkachuk and we have better rats on our side overall.

Can't believe anyone sits around in the dressing room with fear thinking about how Gallagher called Stutzle out years ago lol. He's the bigger loser whining about things being unfair like a toddler
 

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