Brady Tkachuk is getting frustrated with Sens’ management over tardy extension!

The Ottawa Senators are still hoping to sign rugged forward Brady Tkachuk while negotiations between the two camps are ongoing. All eyes are on Tkachuk. He is set to become the face of the franchise, one that isn’t afraid to get under rivals’ skin on the ice. 

Earlier this summer, we found out that while Tkachuk loves his teammates in Ottawa, he would like to see what GM Pierre Dorion and owner Eugene Melnyk plan to do to keep players on the roster long-term. Defenseman Thomas Chabot is one that has signed long-term, but only one other player, Colin White, is inked until 2024-25. Tkachuk would like to see the Senators make a definite plan to get a strong roster together in order to chase the Stanley Cup and is believed to have made that demand quite clear with management amidst their negotiations. 

Ever since, we have heard no developments on this extension front, except for the fact that the Sens agreed to terms on a six-year, $29.85M ($4.975 AAV) contract with forward Drake Batherson, and now TSN’s Shawn Simpson that Tkachuk is growing frustrated with the process. 

“My source tells me frustration has set in with the Tkachuk camp. Brady is trying to stay positive, but doesn’t understand why it’s taking so long. I asked what has been offered, and it was termed they have not received a legitimate offer from the Sens.”

Tkachuk, who’s still four years away from free agency, clearly wants to know what the team’s long-term plan is to make a sound decision.  And so it sounds like Brady, just like brother Matthew with the Calgary Flames, isn’t yet willing to commit long-term to the Senators unless they can show him that they are serious about contending for a Stanley Cup and getting the money on the table and talented players on board to do so. 

The fact that he is now getting angry with the wait does not help this process. The Senators cannot afford to lose Tkachuk. However, he might once again ended up living what his brother experienced as the Flames signed him to a bridge three-year deal on September 25th, 2019. Who knows?