The Ottawa Senators have had the Boston Bruins’ number this season, plain and simple. In four matchups, Ottawa walked away with seven out of a possible eight points-a rare bright spot in what's otherwise been a season full of turbulence for the Sens.
But here’s the kicker: even with that success against Boston, Ottawa still finds itself at the bottom of the Atlantic Division, sitting nine points behind the Bruins for the final wild card spot. And with the way things have been trending, it’s hard to see a clear path out of the hole.
The past two weeks have been especially rough for Ottawa. Confidence is low, the play has been inconsistent, and frustration is starting to show-none more visibly than in captain Brady Tkachuk.
Tkachuk, who still has two years left on his deal after this season, hasn’t looked like himself. He’s a player known for his edge, his energy, and his leadership.
But lately? The body language says it all.
He looks disengaged, like the weight of a sinking season is starting to take its toll.
That’s not just a problem for the Senators on the ice-it’s a problem for the front office, too. Tkachuk is the face of the franchise, the guy they’ve built around.
Trading him would be a seismic move, far more complicated than most blockbuster deals. He’s 26, still in his prime, and under contract.
Any team looking to pry him out of Ottawa would have to come with a serious offer-think multiple first-round picks, a top prospect, and then some.
Still, as the losses pile up and the captain’s frustration grows, the Senators could find themselves backed into a corner. If they don’t turn things around soon, the pressure to make a major shake-up will only build.
Now, let’s talk about what this means for Boston.
The Bruins, for all their own ups and downs this season, benefit from Ottawa’s slide. The Atlantic Division has been a gauntlet at times, with all eight teams showing flashes of playoff potential.
But if the Senators are falling out of the race, that’s one less team to worry about come spring. And in a conference where every point matters, that’s no small thing.
But let’s be honest-what really has Bruins fans buzzing is the idea of Brady Tkachuk in black and gold.
It’s not just about the numbers or the need for a top-line winger. It’s about fit.
Tkachuk plays the kind of hard-nosed, physical, emotionally charged hockey that Boston fans adore. He’s the kind of player who could walk into TD Garden and feel like he’s been there his whole life.
Add in the local ties-his father Keith is a Massachusetts native, and the family still has roots in the area-and it’s easy to see why the idea has traction.
But make no mistake: pulling off a trade for Tkachuk would be a massive undertaking. Boston would likely have to part with two of its four first-round picks over the next two years, and a blue-chip prospect would almost certainly be part of the package. Someone like Dean Letourneau-big, skilled, and still developing-could be a name that intrigues Ottawa as a potential long-term replacement.
And even then, there’s the added complication of trading within the division. The Senators would have to be absolutely convinced that the return is worth sending their captain to a rival they see multiple times a year. That’s a tough pill to swallow, no matter how strong the offer.
If a deal doesn’t materialize now, there’s still the long game. Tkachuk’s contract runs for two more seasons after this one, and if things don’t improve in Ottawa, the door could open wider down the road. For now, it’s just speculation-but it’s the kind of speculation that’s rooted in real frustration, real opportunity, and a real sense that something’s got to give.
Whether that something is Brady Tkachuk remains to be seen. But the situation in Ottawa is worth watching closely-because if the Senators keep spiraling, the rest of the league, including the Bruins, will be ready to pounce.