I'm assuming you think this is some kind of "gotcha" because I have to give you enough credit to think you can read a stat sheet, but this season that's definitely true, especially on the power play.
The point being made with that comment was obviously in response to him saying that Hughes "plays with better players", when on the PP where Stutzle has nearly half his production, he's playing with all of Tkachuk, Batherson, Norris, and Chabot.
Also strikes me, when it's convenient to boost Stutzle Connor Brown is just some guy, but when it comes to Ottawa in general he's a 60-point two-way monster. Just thought that was funny.
Well, seeing as the #1 PP unit is typically where the players with the highest skill level are found, I found the comment interesting.
I do think that Stutzle has less to work with on the second line (e.g. Formenton and Brown) than on those occasions when he's been able to play on a regular shift with Tkachuk or Batherson, but their chemistry with Norris is tough to give up.
When Joseph arrived, he did produce immediately and had some good games in the top six so that might give DJ Smith more options in terms of balancing the talent between the #1 and #2 lines. Unfortunately, it's a very limited sample of games due to injury.
It'll be interesting to see how the lines are drawn up to start next season.
In an ideal world, Formenton and Joseph would be productive third liners (who can step into the top six when required/injury replacements etc.). They are north-south speedsters who are likely more deadly in transition than in offensive zone cycle play or more static PP movement.
Some Senators fans have hopes that they can play a top six role but really I think Ottawa is better off building around a top nine as they won't likely have the generational talent that teams like Colorado, Edmonton and Toronto have.
Brown has the offensive IQ of a top six player but his finish could certainly be better. He's also a playmaker and Stutzle is primarily as well, so it's a bit redundant. They need a goal scorer on that second line to complement them better.
Brown is absolutely a second liner and has pretty much produced like one, as well as being an excellent penalty killer and defensive presence. You guys hate him because of some misconstrued comment about him and Bratt but he's a good player that I hope we hold on to for his veteran presence and impact all over the ice.