“It’s too early to say”: Senator captain Brady Tkachuk opens up for the first time after surgery, says return is still uncertain

The Ottawa Senators captain, Brady Tkachuk, has finally opened up for the first time on Wednesday after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament on his right thumb last week. The captain has stated that while his return currently has no definitive timetable for his NHL comeback, he remains confident he’ll be back in action in time for the upcoming Olympic Games.

Earlier, the 26-year-old winger suffered the injury during the third game of the season on October 9, 2025, after getting cross-checked by Nashville Predators defenceman Roman Josi. Following the injury, Tkachuk announced that he is expected to miss around 6-8 weeks.

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk’s return to the team remains uncertain

Captain Brady Tkachuk confirmed on Wednesday that his return to the team remains unclear, due to his injury that he sustained during a match with the Nashville Predators. According to the organization, Tkachuk is recovering from recent surgery to repair a ligament injury and is engaging in treatment and rehabilitation. Speaking for the first time after his surgery, Tkachuk stated regarding a timeline for his return to the lineup, “It’s too early to say. Of course, I’ll try to get back on the first possible day….I’m able to skate now and it’s only been nine days off the ice, so the legs and conditioning will stay. But it’s just going to be a little bit before I can stickhandle and shoot.”

About his successful surgery and recovery, the 26-year-old winger further said, .

They re-stabilized the joints. I was under for a two-hour nap - I was fired up about that.” He lastly added that the surgery went well, “They said it went awesome, very, very smooth.”Speaking to the media, Tkachuk also acknowledged how difficult it has been to watch from the sidelines, but emphasized his commitment to returning strong, “That’s not really in my thought process or mindset. My sole focus is getting back to help this team and get us in the best spot possible,” he added.

Revisiting Tkachuk’s career with the Ottawa Senators so far

Tkachuk has become a cornerstone for Ottawa after being drafted fourth overall in the 2018 NHL Draft. Now in his eighth NHL season, Tkachuk led the Senators with 29 goals last year, marking his fourth straight season with at least that total. His consistent scoring and leadership have made him one of the league’s most reliable power forwards. Tkachuk was also a standout performer for Team USA during last February’s Four Nations Face-Off, where he scored three goals in four games as the Americans fell to Canada in an overtime thriller in the championship game in Boston. Also read: Brad Marchand’s net worth: How much wealth has Florida Panthers’ right winger gained in 2025? | NHL News - The Times of India