Brady Tkachuk, Senators captain, undergoes surgery
Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk underwent surgery on his right thumb this Thursday, the team announced. The winger is expected to be out of action at least until Thanksgiving, with a recovery time of six to eight weeks.
Tkachuk, 26, made the decision to undergo surgery after consulting a doctor in New York on Wednesday for a second opinion. Sources close to the player indicate that his availability for the Olympic team will not be affected.
The Ottawa captain’s injury occurred in the first period of the 4-1 defeat to the Nashville Predators on Monday. It was after receiving a hit from Roman Josi, Predators defenseman, that sent him into the boards in an unfavorable manner. Tkachuk continued playing, but did not finish the game.
Tkachuk, who led the Senators with 29 goals last season, has accumulated three points in the first three games of this season.
The Senators, who managed to qualify for the playoffs last season, have started the season with a 1-3-1 record. The team is in a complicated moment after the 8-4 defeat against the Sabres at home on Wednesday, in their first game without Tkachuk.
Matthew, Tkachuk’s brother, is also out of action after undergoing surgery in the offseason. Both players are expected to be key figures for Team USA at the Milan Olympics in February.
