Since shifting from left wing to centre, Tim Stützle is taking his game to another level. Ottawa Senators‘ head coach D.J. Smith acknowledged Stützle as being his team’s best player in Saturday’s overtime loss in Washington. The 20-year old followed up by scoring the game-winning goal in Sunday’s 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets in highlight-reel fashion.
That goal was set up by Alex Formenton. As good as Stützle has been of late, Formenton has made major strides of his own.
Forced to juggle his lines to balance out scoring due to Connor Brown suffering a broken jaw in Edmonton on January 15, Smith elevated Formenton to the left side of Stützle.
The duo instantly hit it off, complementing each other with their speed and skill.
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Formenton has an assist in each of his past three games, while Stützle has a pair of goals. Whether it’s Zach Sanford, Drake Batherson or whoever playing on the right, the trio is dangerous each time they step on the ice.
“We’re just building chemistry every day. I mean in practice and every game – finding each other, learning each other’s habits. I think it’s transferring pretty well,” said Formenton during Saturday’s postgame availability.
Stützle reciprocated Sunday, albeit with a bit of humour attached, “I’m just pumped playing with him. He’s such a fast skater. I try to give him the puck as much as I can. It’s different in soccer. He’s a terrible soccer player – so he’s got to work on that, but on the ice, just a lot fun. We try to put as chemistry together as we can. It worked out today.”
It’s taken a while for Formenton to break through as an everyday NHL regular. Shortly after being selected 47th overall in the June Entry Draft. At age 18, 24 days, Formenton became the youngest player to don a Senators’ uniform, skating against the Detroit Red Wings on October 7, 2017.
The Barrie area resident returned to the Ontario League’s London Knights after making that one appearance and went on to earn a gold medal at the 2018 World Juniors.
The following season, Formenton remained with the Senators for nine games prior to being sent to London once again to develop his game.
Then in 2019-20, playing for Belleville, he ranked second in goals (27), points (53) to American League Rookie of the Year, fellow teammate Josh Norris.
“Every game I want get better. No matter where I play in the lineup, I want to be contributing defensively and offensively – just going to keep working – try to get better each game. I think as games go on, I get more comfortable, more of that offensive feel, just got to keep that up,” noted Formenton.
And that, he certainly has.
Alex Formenton has compiled seven goals, 10 assists in 32 games this season. However, nine of those points (two goals, seven assists) have come in his past eight games.
“I think just trying to use my assets as best as possible – just making sure that I’m skating, using my feet, whether that’s pushing back the “D” or forechecking – stuff like that – kind of (get them) to turnover pucks. Just try to do as much as I can, use my speed as much as I can.”
Speed truly is Formenton’s greatest asset. If anyone watches the six-foot-three, 195 pounds forward, it’s shocking he didn’t receive an invite to skate in the Fastest Skater contest at the All-Star Skills Competition held weeks from now.
The 22-year old’s swift skating ability allows him to kill penalties. Formenton’s quickness forces to defensemen to keep their heads on a swivel as he’s usually blowing by them.
The Senators’ head coach is proud of Formenton’s development, “I think “Formie” is coming along nicely. He looked like this in London OHL. He’d get a breakaway or two every night. He went for a year in Belleville and did a nice job. And I think he and Timmy (Stützle) playing together are starting to have a little bit of chemistry. He got two breakaways two nights ago (versus Buffalo),” said Smith.
“He’s done a real nice job on the penalty kill. We’re going to give him some power play touches, and I guess that’s all part of the process. You have got to put these guys in these type of situations to play. He’s on both sides of special teams with Connor (Brown) out. And I don’t know where else you can get this type of experience. He’s a great kid. I think he’s going to be a huge piece of this going forward. There’s always going to be the top guys, but to win you are going to need the “Formies.” I think we got a real good player in Alex Formenton.”
As do Senators’ fans.
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