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Senators GM Steve Staios addresses rumors around potential Brady Tkachuk trade
Ottawa Senators GM Steve Staios is putting rumors regarding the potential trade of team captain Brady Tkachuk to rest. In a recent interview with TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, Staios unequivocally denied any validity to social media speculation that the Senators are potentially considering trading their star winger.
"Complete B.S.," Staios told TSN's Pierre LeBrun on Monday about speculation on social media that the Senators were looking to deal with their captain.
"We are building this team around Brady. His leadership and unique skill set are rare."
“There is absolutely no validity to it (rumor).’’ Staios added.
The rumors seem to have originated early this year from "Spittin' Chiclets" podcaster Ryan Whitney, suggesting Ottawa "maybe" moving Tkachuk before the trade line.
Staios was quick to refute the rumors at that time.
“Ah yeah, that could not be further from the truth ... our communications people alert me to things like that. There’s obviously no truth to that," Staios told LeBrun on February 28.
“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."
Tkachuk scored 37 goals and added 37 assists for 74 points in 81 games this regular season.
In October 2021, Tkachuk signed a seven-year, $57.5 million contract with Ottawa. His $8.2 million cap hit demonstrates his value to the Senators organization.
Brady Tkachuk's comments at the Ottawa Senators' year-end media availability
Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk didn't mince words during the team's year-end media availability on Thursday morning. The young forward expressed his frustration with the Senators missing the playoffs for a sixth straight season.
"I mean, everybody knows I've just finished year six and haven't done a thing," Tkachuk said to the media. "I haven't played in those meaningful playoff games that I've imagined and the rest of the group have imagined of playing."
Tkachuk acknowledged this past year was particularly difficult mentally.
"For me, this was the most difficult year so far. It's been tough mentally. There were days that were not fun, and that hasn't happened before."
However, Tkachuk expressed full confidence in new GM Steve Staios, the management team and owner Michael Andlauer to make the necessary changes to turn things around.
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