Brady Tkachuk, the Ottawa Senators’ captain who has been out injured for the past seven games, joined his teammates for practice on Monday, April 14.
Tkachuk has been the Senators’ top goal-scorer this season with 29 goals. He practiced line rushes with top-line teammates Tim Stützle and Fabian Zetterlund while wearing a non-contact jersey. He is set to miss his eighth consecutive game on Tuesday, April 15, when the Senators take on the Chicago Blackhawks.
Brady Tkachuk on Track To Take the Ice for Game 1 of NHL Playoffs
Senators’ coach Travis Green provided a positive update about Tkachuk’s fitness for the playoffs. He told reporters that the forward would almost certainly return to the roster in time for Game 1 of the playoffs.
“Brady coming back, it’s just awesome,” Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot said via TSN. “Being hurt, there’s nothing worse for a hockey player. You’re sitting out. You’re on the outside. Just to see him wheel around and having fun skating with us again, it’s great.”
On April 14, Green had addressed Tkachuk’s recovery progress.
“He has to [practice],” Green told reporters. “If you want to be on top of your game after you’ve been out … he’s no different than any other player, you’ve got to return and get some practice time. He’s skated on his own for a bit now, and it’s good to get him with the group. I thought he looked sharp. And I’m sure he’ll skate again tomorrow.”
The Senators have secured the first Wild Card playoff berth in the Eastern Conference with a 44-30-6 record this season. They will face off against either the Toronto Maple Leafs or the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the playoffs beginning April 19.
Tkachuk played a vital part in the Senators’ success this season. Apart from his scoring contributions, the American has been an inspirational figure for his team on and off the ice. The Senators have recognized Tkachuk’s outstanding performance this season and nominated him for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. The award is presented to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice, the NHL said.
“He’s a very important player to our group and, just like us, every little detail, he’s trying to get ready. You saw that he was pushing yesterday,” Senators forward David Perron told reporters on April 15.
Tkachuk spoke to the media last week and affirmed his commitment to taking the ice during the playoffs.
“I don’t think I’d ever miss an opportunity to play in the playoffs,” Tkachuk said via TSN. “But [I’m] not looking too far in advance. I know I’m in the mental state where there’s two more months of hockey left. It’s going to be long, gruelling, and taxing on the body and mind.”
It is unclear whether the Senators’ captain will suit up for their last game of the regular season against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, April 17.
