Brady Tkachuk sidelined for four weeks with wrist injury
The Ottawa Senators faced a significant setback in the early stages of the NHL season, as news broke that their captain, Brady Tkachuk, will be out of the lineup for the next four weeks. Head coach Travis Green confirmed on Tuesday that Tkachuk sustained a right wrist injury during Monday’s matchup against the Nashville Predators.
The injury occurred when Tkachuk was on the receiving end of a cross-check from Roman Josi, which sent him crashing awkwardly into the boards. Although he continued to play after the incident, Tkachuk ultimately sat out the final nine minutes of the game, raising concerns about the severity of his condition. Remarkably, this marks the first time in Tkachuk’s seven-season NHL career that he will miss a stretch of four weeks or more due to injury.
Impact on the Senators
According to Pro Hockey Rumors’ Josh Erickson, Tkachuk’s anticipated recovery timeline suggests he could return as early as November 11 against the Dallas Stars. However, that would mean he would miss a minimum of 13 games, a substantial absence for a player who contributed 55 points in 72 games last season.
The Senators have started the season with a 1-2 record and will now face the challenge of competing without Tkachuk’s offensive prowess and physical presence. His absence is particularly felt as the team has struggled defensively, allowing four or more goals in each of their first three games.
A challenging time for the Tkachuk family
This injury comes at a particularly difficult moment for the Tkachuk family. Brady’s brother, Matthew, who plays for the Florida Panthers, is also expected to be sidelined until December or possibly longer. Both siblings are now hoping for swift recoveries to aid their teams in their respective playoff pursuits.
As the Senators navigate the upcoming games without their captain, the focus will be on how they can adapt and fill the void left by Tkachuk’s absence during this crucial stretch of the season.
