Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle addressed the media on Thursday, saying the team must 'move on' without former captain Brady Tkachuk, who departed the franchise during the off-season. Stutzle expressed confidence that the Senators can remain competitive despite the loss of their leader.
Stutzle, who signed a long-term extension with Ottawa in 2023, emphasized that the team has depth and character to fill the void left by Tkachuk. He noted that the Senators have a young core that is ready to step up and that the dressing room remains united.
The Senators finished the 2025-26 season with a 42-31-9 record, earning a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs, where they were eliminated in the first round by the Florida Panthers. Tkachuk, who was traded to the St. Louis Blues in June, had been the team's captain since 2021.
Stutzle, who led the Senators in scoring last season with 82 points, said the team is focused on the upcoming campaign and believes they can improve on last year's performance. 'We have a lot of good players in this room,' Stutzle said. 'We just have to believe in ourselves and work hard.'
