Brady Tkachuk, the captain of the Ottawa Senators, showed no restraint when discussing his team’s hard-fought battle against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The intense feelings from their opening round elimination remain fresh in his mind, along with those of many supporters.
Brady Tkachuk Shares Raw Emotions After First-Round Exit
Through intense competition, the Senators maintained a brave fight at each point of the series. Although they demonstrated strong determination, exceptional ability, and an aggressive competitive spirit, they ultimately fell short. Toronto’s immense playoff experience came into play and helped lead the Maple Leafs to a series victory. The Senators delivered their best effort, but Toronto proved to be too much and offered a narrow margin of defeat.
“Honestly, I haven’t really had much time still, so fresh on, still, really disappointed,” Tkachuk said. “And, yeah, still, still not over it, to be honest, yet still wish we were playing game seven tonight. And yeah, so I haven’t really had time to think about now this year what the future entails. I think I said after the game that everything happens for a reason, and I think it’s going to create that much more excitement for this group for next year, and what we’re able to do and help, and that we have each other, to do all these be done.”
The Senators’ captain also went on to say that the defeat against Toronto serves as a driving force to make the squad stronger for next season. He believes that losing will serve as a strong motivator that will energize members to return better than before.
Subsequently, he explained how the close-knit relationships between the Ottawa players helped create an environment of support during challenging times. Tkachuk delivered a strong message declaring that the team’s work has just begun, and the pain of losing in the first round serves as a reminder of that.
Although the defeat brings pain today, it creates an opportunity for a team to learn together and grow stronger before they make more significant noise in the upcoming competition.
Tkachuk confirmed his commitment to the Senators by defiantly shutting down trade rumors. Some have speculated that he might look to be dealt to the New York Rangers, or team up with his brother on the Florida Panthers. However, he called these rumors “a lie” during his end-of-season press conference.
"Obviously it's a lie."
Brady Tkachuk shuts down rumours about wanting out of Ottawa. pic.twitter.com/gvsrPApKDy
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 3, 2025
“It’s just not true,” said Tkachuk. “I think it’s on me if I let that bother me or take me off whatever I’m trying to do. Everybody knows I will do whatever it takes to win and seeing this fan base, this excitement, seeing how much they rallied around us… I know there’s gonna be some amazing memories and times down the road.”
Tkachuk showed great enthusiasm about the team’s prospects following their intense playoff contest that required six games against the Maple Leafs. Brady eliminated all questions surrounding his future when he clearly announced his commitment.
Tkachuk uses his presence to reassure Sens supporters by expressing his dedication to Ottawa and embracing their upcoming prospects. His leadership skills, coupled with his loyalty, serve as perfect foundations as the senators begin their next campaign.