The drama surrounding Keith Tkachuk’s unfiltered comments on his sons’ podcast, The Wingmen, has created a storm in Ottawa just as the Senators fight for their playoff lives.
Following the Senators’ crucial 4-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, Brady Tkachuk faced the media to address his father’s remarks, which many interpreted as a direct shot at Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark.
Brady Tkachuk Addresses the Situation
The friction began during a Wednesday episode of the podcast. Keith Tkachuk, never one to mince words, slammed the current state of the NHL, calling it a soft league and mocking players who miss games for “rest management” or minor ailments.
Keith Tkachuk said, “Holy Christ, his whole team (likely referring to Matthew’s Florida Panthers) … My pinky hurts. I’m out for six to eight weeks… ‘I just had a bad sleep, so I can’t play today.’ Oh my god, disgusting… ‘I can’t play back to back.'”
He also referenced heavy workloads from past eras, including the durability of goaltenders like Grant Fuhr.
While Keith did not name names, the timing was impossible to ignore. Just days earlier, on March 28, Linus Ullmark sat out a pivotal game against the Tampa Bay Lightning because he “needed a rest,” a move that sparked nationwide debate since Ottawa was in a must-win position. To make matters worse, Ullmark returned on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers only to be pulled in the first period after allowing five goals.
When asked about the situation, Brady Tkachuk downplayed the idea that his father’s comments were directed at anyone in the Senators’ locker room. “I don’t know how that got twisted and I have to talk about it now, but I thought it was clear as day. He was talking about the Florida Panthers,” Brady said.
Tkachuk suggested his father’s frustration was more likely aimed at the injury-plagued Panthers, where his brother Matthew Tkachuk plays. He also made it clear he wasn’t going to interpret his father’s words further.
“All those things didn’t come out of my mouth. I mean, I completely respect my dad. He’s going to be a Hall of Famer. So, I’m not going to put words in his mouth or explain what he said.”
For now, the Senators sit in the second Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference and will look to build on their momentum when they face the Minnesota Wild next.
The off-ice chatter may have stirred headlines, but Brady Tkachuk made it clear the focus inside the room remains firmly on winning.
