So I have been some comments made that there isn't a flaw in Stutzle's game. I found some very good breakdown footage from eliteprospects that show where Stutzle struggles and where he is going to need to make improvements. The point of this is not to convince you Stutzle is worse than Byfield or anything like that. That is an opinion you should make on your own. It can be better to focus on what a player can improve on rather than what they can already do. Stutzle is a top tier prospect, but that doesn't mean we can't take a look at his weaknesses.
Stutzle's poor devision making:
Example 1
While being a phenomenal passer and playmaker, Stutzle often fails to identify opportunities for himself or teammates to cut towards the slot. This is why a lot of people argue that Stutzle is a perimeter player. In the first example, we see him forcefully go out to the perimeter rather than cut through the middle, despite the defenseman fully and wrongly committing to pressuring the perimeter. Instead of moving play towards the slot, Stutzle lightens his glide to lose the speed he needs. Its a flashy play that wasn't useful. He then makes 2 puck handles into the defender which ultimately pushed him wide. In the second example in this clip, Stutzle does the sam thing where he slows himself into a glide, relies on using his stickhandling, and his decision turns into a turnover. We will see more poor decision making in the other clips.
Stutzle's handle first, pass/shoot later fixation:
Example 2
In the first clip, we see a complete defensive breakdown where Stutzle finds himself at the top of 3 on 1. Once he receives the pass, he fails to recognize that his winger is completely open, and instead (again poor decision making) stickhandles into the goalie. At this point, he should have either shot or pass to his teammate. Stickhandling is probably the worst decision here, other than passing it to the point or something that completely wipes the play. In the 2nd clip, we once again see Stutzle have an opportunity to push the puck towards the slot, but instead, he chooses to skate and handle his way towards the goalie and ultimately remain on the perimeter. Instead of even getting a shot off at that point, he skates around the net, to the point, and turnsover the puck. In the final clip, he enters the zone, and instead of pushing it toward the slot, or even placing it a good spot where his team can cycle, he makes a blind pass behind him and turns over the puck (more of a decision making issue than stick handling issue, would move this to example 1 if I could).
Example 3
Example 3 shows several other instances of him overhanding the puck instead of making the correct passes.
Stutzle's lack of deception in his playmaking and shooting:
Example 4
In these clips, it demonstrates Stutzle's inability to make deceptive plays, which ultimately make both his shooting and playmaking less effective. He stares at his target, his body language either shows that he is fully committed to a pass or shot, and it is something he needs to improve. I think clip 1 explains itself good enough. Clip 2 focuses more of him being less threatening by making an early cross ice pass rather than driving play towards the net, on again demonstrating his push for perimeter play. I will try and find more clips of that demonstrate this. I have seen them, just need to look them up again.
Stutzle inability to be a scoring threat:
Example 5
Clip 5 shows Stutzle inability be a scoring threat. Simply put, he is often awkward or does not position himself in good ice to be an offensive threat. Not surprising considering he is a playmaker first. Also need to look up footage of his shooting opportunities. They are not good. Stutzle is shooting 5% in the DEL when Reichel and John-Jason Peterka are shooting 17% and 11% in the same league, respectively. Watch this
highlight video. It does a good job at showing both his strengths at passing, but if you keep the listed points above, those issues become more glaring. Its a good video showing both is strengths and weaknesses.
Exactly. I scoffed when I read "only 82 points in 45 games". The Lukeman has been one of my favorite posters in this thread. Dropping charts and stats like loose change. The numbers don't lie. The kid is a monster production-wise. Another Lukeman research tidbit that seemingly gets glossed over: "Reminder that Byfield was #1 in the OHL last season in scoring goals and primary assists per 60 minutes of play. You don't do that playing as a 17 yo and not have talent.".
Thanks I am glad that these posts can be helpful. I recently tested positive for Covid-19 (thankfully I am asymptomatic) so I have been unable to go to work. Extra free time to do deeper analysis. I am trying to put together some footage showing off both Stutzle's and Byfield's strengths and weaknesses. Kind of glad that we are picking 2nd instead of 1st, or else I would have nothing to do haha.
