Senators sign Brady Tkachuk to 7-year extension worth $57.5M deal; is naming him captain next?
Anthony Scultore
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Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk signed a seven-year, $57.5 million contract on Thursday.
Per the team, Tkachuk will receive $4 million this season and $6.5 million in 2022-23 before pocketing $10.5 million over the next three campaigns. He then will receive $8.5 million in 2026-27 and $7 million the following season.
He had been holding out and didn’t appear in any preseason games. It’s unclear when he’ll be ready to join the Senators, who open their season Thursday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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Brady Tkachuk tipped off fans on Twitter
Just prior to the signing being announced, Tkachuk posted a popular GIF that said “And. Here. We. Go!” Soon after, the news broke.
“We’re thrilled to come to a long-term agreement with Brady,” Senators owner and governor Eugene Melnyk said. “He’s a valuable member of our leadership group, is universally respected by his teammates and a player we’re certain will have a significant impact on our success in the seasons ahead.”
Tkachuk, 22, recorded team-best totals with 36 points (17 goals, 19 assists) and 69 penalty minutes in 56 games last season. He has 125 points (60 goals, 65 assists) and 250 penalty minutes in 198 career games since being selected by Ottawa with the fourth overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft.
“This is an exciting day for the Ottawa Senators,” Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said. “Brady possesses a very dynamic skill set and is a prototypical power forward in today’s NHL. He scores goals, he plays physical and exemplifies what it means to be a pro for all players in our organization.”
Tkachuk is the younger brother of Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk and son of Keith Tkachuk, who scored 538 career goals during his 18-year NHL career.
Will he be the next captain?
This summer, the Senators made it clear they are ready to name a captain.
“We hope to but that’a decision with Mr. Melnyk and Pierre. Everybody will be involved because it’s a big-time important decision,” coach DJ Smith said via the Ottawa Sun. “But we feel we’re at that time now where we’re as close as we’ve been to naming a guy. It’s time for someone to be the leader of this group.”
There appears to be an obvious choice for captain and that is Brady Tkachuk. Even Owner Eugene Melnyk hinted at that recently on the Bob McCown podcast. “That’s going to be what we’re thinking about all summer and whether he’s the person for that.”
If they decide not to give him the captaincy, defenseman Thomas Chabot is the next logical choice.
–Field Level Media contributed to this report