The Ottawa Senators announced that captain Brady Tkachuk will be missing 6-8 weeks as he recovers from right thumb surgery.

Tkachuk suffered the injury during the Senators’ home-opener against the Nashville Predators when he was cross-checked into the boards by Roman Josi, who received a minor penalty for the action. Although he returned to play shortly after, Tkachuk’s presence was missed as the Senators attempted to secure a late equalizer.

After further assessments, surgery was deemed necessary to repair the damage.

The number four overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, Tkachuk has proven to be a significant asset to the Senators. From 2021 to 2024, he consistently scored over 30 goals each season, contributing greatly to Ottawa’s return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

With Tkachuk missing for up to two months, teammates such as Tim Stützle, Dylan Cozens, and Shane Pinto will need to elevate their performance to maintain momentum in the playoff race.