HOCKEYUNPLUGGED | NHL TEAM | OTTAWA SENATORS

Ottawa Senators GM addresses if he's actually shopping Brady Tkachuk

The Ottawa Senators believed they would make great progress in their rebuilding as they entered the 2023�24 season full of optimism. That never materialized, though, as the squad placed eighth in the Atlantic Division.

The nation's capital may see a lot of change this summer. Earlier this week, there were rumors circulating about Senator Brady Tkachuk's potential shift inside the squad.

On Sunday night, these rumors immediately gained traction on social media, and on Monday, Senators General Manager Steve Staios was questioned about if his captain was up for sale. Rumors were refuted by Staios, who labeled them as "total B.S."

"Complete B.S.," he told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun on Monday in The Athletic. "We are building this team around Brady. His leadership and unique skill set are rare.

There is absolutely no validity to it."

Brady Tkachuk trade rumors were discussed on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast back in February of this year, thus Staios has already addressed them once.

"Ah yeah, that could not be further from the truth," Staios told LeBrun on Feb. 28. "I don't follow on social media. I do get our communications people alert me to things like that. There's obviously no truth to that. Like, we're building the team around Brady Tkachuk, and the type of person, the type of player and the type of leader that he is. He means everything to the organization. And he brings it every night along with our core group of players.

It's a matter of time and a matter of nurturing this group."

The 24-year-old, along with Jake Sanderson and Tim Stutzle, is an important component of Ottawa's future. The Ottawa Senators will need to improve in the upcoming season, and Travis Green, their new head coach, will help them do so. It will be intriguing to watch how Steve Staios manages the roster this summer and whether he decides to bolster his team with any major deals or free agent additions.

Previously on HockeyUnplugged

Chris Kreider breaks rule and throws Matthew Tkachuk's mouth guard into crowd

Donald Brashear announces his retirement from pro hockey

Florida Panthers target Jacob Trouba early after Game 3 elbow

POLL
29 MAI \| 101 ANSWERS Ottawa Senators GM addresses if he's actually shopping Brady Tkachuk Will Ottawa make the playoffs next season?
Yes	27	26.7 %
No	74	73.3 %
LIST OF POLLS