Bitter Goodbye: Tim Stützle Ends His Contract with Ottawa Senators, Signs Three-Year Deal with the Los Angeles Kings
May 9, 2025
In a shocking turn of events that has left Ottawa Senators fans stunned, star forward Tim Stützle has officially terminated his contract with the team and signed a new three-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings. The move ends what had been seen as a cornerstone relationship between the talented German forward and the franchise that drafted him third overall in 2020.
Stützle, who led the Senators in points during the 2024–25 season with 79 (19 goals, 60 assists), had been viewed as the face of Ottawa’s rebuild and a key leader in the team’s first playoff appearance since 2017. His departure comes less than a year after signing an eight-year, $66.8 million extension with the team.
While the reasons behind the contract termination remain undisclosed, speculation points to growing frustrations with management decisions and internal changes following the team’s early playoff exit. Rumors had also surfaced about a potential rift between Stützle’s representation and the Senators’ front office, though neither party has confirmed these claims publicly.
In a brief statement released through the Los Angeles Kings, Stützle expressed gratitude to Ottawa fans:
“Ottawa will always have a place in my heart. I gave everything I had on the ice, and I’m proud of what we built together. But for me, it’s time for a new chapter and new challenges.”
The Kings, looking to bolster their top-six forward group and reignite a push toward serious playoff contention, see Stützle as a perfect fit for their aggressive style and long-term plans. His arrival is expected to immediately elevate their offensive core alongside veterans like Anže Kopitar and Kevin Fiala.
For Senators fans, this unexpected farewell will sting. A rebuild once brimming with optimism has now lost one of its brightest stars. The front office is expected to address the move in a press conference later this week.
Whether Stützle’s decision proves fruitful remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: his departure marks the end of an era in Ottawa — and the beginning of a bold new one in Los Angeles.