Sens captain also says it’s frustrating to often be asked about future with team

A hockey player rests his stick on his shoulder during a break in play.

Brady Tkachuk is tired, and he says it has nothing to do with having a newborn child.

The Senators captain returned to Ottawa on Wednesday following the birth of his second child to discuss the team’s first-round playoff sweep at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes.

When questions came up on Tkachuk’s future in Ottawa amid some rumours the American might be interested in playing in the United States, he said the rhetoric has grown tiresome.

“I feel like I’ve answered this hundreds of times,” said Tkachuk, who was unavailable to attend the team’s season-ending availability Monday as his wife, Emma, went into labour.

“I have been fully committed to this team, to the city, and it’s just becoming a distraction and frustrating to deal with.”

‘I didn’t play good enough’
Tkachuk was held without a point in the series against Carolina, and he said the loss weighs heavily.

“I don’t think anybody’s more frustrated with how everything went than me,” he said. “At the end of the day I didn’t play good enough.”

Tkachuk said he wasn’t dealing with any injuries, which made his performance that much more difficult to accept.

Despite the post-season not going as planned Tkachuk believes the Senators took strides this season and looks forward to connecting with general manager Steve Staios to discuss how the team can continue to improve.

“I think for every team that doesn’t win there’s always room to improve and get one step closer to it.”

Brady Tkachuk speaks to reporters

Tkachuk speaks to reporters from the locker room. (CBC)

The 26-year-old said 2025-26 was a season filled with highs and lows. He sustained a hand injury three games in that required surgery and forced him to miss 20 contests. But he also had the opportunity to live a childhood dream of winning an Olympic gold medal with the United States.

He helped lead the Senators to a second straight playoff appearance, only to see the season come to an abrupt end at the hands of the Hurricanes.

Tkachuk said one of the things that will stand out this season is how the team dealt with adversity, from injuries on the ice to rumours on social media.

Head coach Travis Green had described the external chatter surrounding the team and its captain as “white noise.”

Trade rumours
The captain said he struggles to understand why there’s skepticism surrounding his commitment to the team and the city. With two years remaining on his contract, Tkachuk isn’t even in a position to start talking about an extension until July 2027.

“I don’t get why,” he said. “It’s frustrating to have to answer to something that has never been spoken out of my mouth.”

Tkachuk said he will not be competing with the U.S. at the world hockey championship. For now, he’s looking forward to being a father and enjoying life with his family of four.