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Brady Tkachuk's Senators Teammate Doesn't Want Him Doing One Thing

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Oct 9, 2025 12:41 PM ET

The Ottawa Senators enter the 2025–26 NHL season with sky-high expectations and one clear objective shared by everyone in the locker room.

According to Senators center Tim Stutzle, on top of making a deep postseason run, the main goal for the Sens this season will be keeping captain Brady Tkachuk out of unnecessary fights.

Tkachuk, known across the league for his physical play and leadership, spent much of the offseason recovering from injuries sustained last year.

In a story by The Athletic's Julian MacKenzie, Stutzle is quoted as saying the Senators have made it a point to preserve their captain’s health and energy as they aim for a deeper playoff run.

Brady Tkachuk on how he personally wants to improve this season:

“I haven’t set any personal goals for myself. There’s just one goal in mind for everybody in this room and that’s the Stanley Cup." #Sens
— Claire Hanna (@clahanna) October 8, 2025

“We don’t really want Brady fighting all the time and being the guy that has to step in,” Stutzle said. “I think we have a pretty tough team.”

In fairness, Ottawa has made the moves to back up Stutzle's comments. The Senators traded for veteran forward and renowned enforcer Kurtis MacDermid at the end of training camp, looking for someone to take on the fighting responsibility.

MacDermid, one of the league’s most experienced enforcers, joined Ottawa from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Zack MacEwen.

Coach Travis Green described MacDermid as “one of the tougher guys in the league."

Tkachuk echoed his coach’s sentiment, calling MacDermid one of the top enforcers in the NHL and saying, “He’s a top-five, top-three heavyweight in this league. Not just that — I’ve heard he’s one of the best teammates around.”

Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) during a stoppage in play.Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Tkachuk, who led Ottawa back to the playoffs last season for the first time in eight years, already acknowledged before the season opener that he’s learning and trying to balance his intensity with smarter decision-making.

“I’ve never shied away from it, and I think over the years, I’ve done a better job of picking spots,” Tkachuk said. “I’m not just fighting anybody. I feel like starting to realize the importance that I have of being out there.”

Ottawa opens its season Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning at 7 p.m. ET before visiting the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Saturday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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