Candice Ward-Imagn Images

Senators’ Brady Tkachuk Makes First Public Comments Since Injury

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Apr 11, 2025 6:45 AM ET

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk addressed his injury status publicly for the first time on Thursday, two days after missing his fifth consecutive game on Tuesday.

Tkachuk expressed optimism about returning in time for his first Stanley Cup playoffs appearance.

Tkachuk has been out since March 30 with an upper-body injury, and while his return date remains unclear, he suggested a return for Game 1 is likely.

“I need to make sure I’m ready physically because mentally I’ve been waiting for this moment,” Tkachuk said. "But I'm not worried about (missing a playoffs game).

"I don't think I'd ever miss an opportunity to play in the playoffs, but I'm not looking too far in advance. I'm looking forward to skating tomorrow, feeling good and going from there."

Brady Tkachuk spoke with the media today for the 1st time since sustaining his injury Mar.30: "feeling good, feeling better."
Tkachuk says he expects to skate Friday for the 1st time. pic.twitter.com/8ToDvSnOQ4
— Coming In Hot (@ComingInHotSens) April 10, 2025

Tkachuk was asked about whether he’d prefer rest through the regular season or to get rid of any possible rust before the start of the postseason next week.

“It’s going to be a long, grueling, and taxing [time] on the body and mind, so I think it’s a combination of resting up… and making sure I’m ready physically,” Tkachuk said. "Progressing day in and day out.

"My focus is feeling good today. I think I'm starting to skate tomorrow, so I'm excited about that. Just going to continue to get better every single day."

Tkachuk, who leads the Senators with 29 goals, also missed time earlier this year following the 4 Nations Face-Off. The Sens captain has the third-most total points among Ottawa players with 55 in 71 games this season.

Senators head coach Travis Green kept things vague on Tkachuk’s timeline speaking on Thursday, saying, “You’ll see him when he’s ready to play.”

On Wednesday, general manager Steve Staios said the organization is still weighing its options.

“His status is he continues to progress,” Staios said on Wednesday. “Now that we’ve clinched a playoff spot, every team goes through these discussions (about resting or using players). We haven’t figured that part out yet.”

The Senators (42-30-6 and 90 points) clinched their first playoff berth since 2017 earlier this week and currently sit in the top wild-card position, three points ahead of the Montreal Canadiens (87 points) with four games left and a matchup scheduled for Friday.

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

More must-reads: