The Surprising Senators: Holding the Fort Without Brady Tkachuk

It’s a story that would have been hard to imagine just a month ago: the Ottawa Senators, navigating the early-season storm without their captain and emotional heart, Brady Tkachuk, are not only surviving — they’re thriving. Through 15 games without Tkachuk, Ottawa has gone 8–3–4, keeping pace in the Atlantic Division with the Montréal Canadiens and Boston Bruins, all tied at 22 points. The team that seemed destined to flounder after losing a superstar forward is instead quietly proving it can roll with adversity.

Obviously, the Senators Have Missed Tkachuk, Still …

The captain’s absence has been felt, of course. Tkachuk isn’t just a point producer; he’s the heartbeat on the ice, a player who sets the tone with his energy and presence. Yet, Ottawa has responded impressively. Averaging 3.56 goals per game since mid-October, the Senators have leaned on depth, timing, and perhaps a little grit that only a group facing adversity can summon. Young players and role players have stepped into the spaces Tkachuk usually occupies, contributing offensively and taking on more defensive responsibilities than expected.

The injury front offers cautious optimism. Tkachuk skated with the team at an optional practice on Friday, his first on-ice work since surgery on October 16, a hand injury suffered when Roman Josi cross-checked him into the boards. Passing, shooting, and basic drills showed he’s regaining strength, though head coach Travis Green stressed he’s still a couple of weeks from returning to full game action. The captain is slated to travel with the Senators for their upcoming seven-game road trip, which begins Thursday in Anaheim. For a team holding its own without him, his eventual return promises a significant boost, though it will require careful reintegration.

What Does the Senators’ Success Without Tkachuk Mean for the Team’s Future?

What does this stretch without Tkachuk say about Ottawa’s future? For one, it reveals a team culture that doesn’t collapse when the biggest star is out. That kind of resilience and buy-in is hard to quantify. However, it is vital in long seasons and playoff runs. It also offers a glimpse at the next wave of contributors, players gaining confidence and experience in high-pressure moments.

The Senators are proving, game by game, that the story isn’t just about losing a superstar. It’s about how the rest of the roster rises when tested, how a group adapts, and how a team’s identity can emerge even in the shadow of an absent captain. When Tkachuk returns, he’ll inherit a squad that knows it can survive, and perhaps even flourish, on its own. For Ottawa fans, these are lessons worth savoring.