Senators preparing to start season without Brady Tkachuk

Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Senators preparing to start 2021-22 season without Brady Tkachuk

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 10/5/21

The Ottawa Senators are preparing to begin the 2021-22 season without Brady Tkachuk, head coach D.J. Smith said Tuesday, according to Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch.

DJ Smith says he now must prepare to start the season without Brady Tkachuk. #Sens
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) October 5, 2021

Tkachuk, a restricted free agent, has yet to sign a contract or report to training camp. The Senators open the season on Oct. 14 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

It was reported in September that the two sides were making progress on a deal. Tkachuk is one of the restricted free agents who doesn't have a new contract after the Vancouver Canucks signed Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes last week.

Ottawa selected Tkachuk fourth overall in the 2018 draft, and he instantly became one of the team's biggest stars. He has tallied 125 points (60 goals, 65 assists) in 198 games played.

The Senators finished last in the North Division last season with a 23-28-5 record. They haven't made the playoffs since the 2016-17 season.

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