The Ottawa Senators are heading into another difficult offseason after being swept out of the first round by the Carolina Hurricanes, capped by a 4-2 loss in Game 4. But beyond the result itself, much of the postmortem has centered on captain Brady Tkachuk, and whether his approach set the wrong tone for a series Ottawa never seemed able to control.
Ex-GM Questions Brady Tkachuk’s Playoff Approach
One of the defining moments of the series came just three seconds into Game 1, when Tkachuk and Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal dropped the gloves right off the opening faceoff, setting an emotional tone for the series.
The two exchanged punches at center ice before Staal landed a heavy counter that dropped Tkachuk. Afterward, Tkachuk said the fight wasn’t personal, but meant to send a message about the intensity Ottawa wanted to bring.
But critics argue the statement didn’t translate into results. Tkachuk finished the series without a point, and Ottawa’s offense never found traction, something former NHL GM Doug MacLean pointed to in his sharp assessment.
Looking back at the opening fight, MacLean questioned whether it was necessary at all. “Look, the first game, he and Jordan’s Staal fight off the opening face-off. And I’m thinking, come on, this is the Stanley Cup playoffs. Brady, you don’t have to do this,” MacLean said.
He argued there was no need for a fight on the first shift of a playoff series, especially one that could have ended much worse after Staal caught him with what MacLean called a haymaker.
But his criticism went far beyond that moment.
MacLean said he was disappointed by Tkachuk’s pace, physical impact, and discipline throughout the series, saying he looked unlike himself. He also criticized Tim Stützle, suggesting Ottawa’s top players failed to elevate their games when it mattered most.
He was equally critical of the team’s overall approach, saying the Senators looked like they were playing not to lose, rather than playing to win. “The one guy I really questioned all year was Ullmark, and he’s been their best player. He’s been their best player. He’s the only guy that are even being close in these games,” MacLean added.
The comments only add to what is shaping up to be a difficult offseason for the Senators.
After a promising regular season and dramatic push into the playoffs, a sweep has raised fresh questions about whether this core can truly contend.
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For Carolina, the focus now turns to Round 2, where the Hurricanes await the winner of the Pittsburgh Penguins-Philadelphia Flyers series.
