Senators' captain Brady Tkachuk out 6-8 weeks after thumb surgery

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk will miss an extended stretch after suffering a right hand injury and undergoing surgery, the team said, a setback that comes as Ottawa tries to steady a shaky start to the NHL season. The injury, sustained in Monday’s game against the Nashville Predators after a crosscheck that sent him into the boards, initially sidelined Tkachuk for at least four weeks; the Senators later announced he had surgery on his right thumb and is expected to be out six to eight weeks.

Coach Travis Green acknowledged the loss of a key player but emphasized the club’s short-term focus on depth and lineup adjustments. "You never want to lose a player of his stature, but that is part of the game," Green said. "It is what it is, and it’s next man up."

Tkachuk’s absence removes the Senators’ primary physical presence and one of their leading scorers. Last season he recorded 55 points in 72 games and was among the team leaders in hits and shot totals. Through the opening three games this year he had 10 shots, 10 hits and three assists. The Senators said the team will decide whether further surgery or treatment is required as Tkachuk begins recovery.