Brady Tkachuk can’t put his thumb on an exact date yet, but he’s closing in on a return from his surgery.
The Ottawa Senators captain, speaking on the second episode of the new Wingmen podcast, which was released on Wednesday morning, Tkachuk told his brother, Matthew of the Florida Panthers, and listeners the intention is to return around American Thanksgiving, which is eight days away.
Tkachuk was on the ice with his teammates on Wednesday in Anaheim, wearing a non-contact jersey as the club prepares to face the Ducks on Thursday night to start this seven-game trip.
The timeline was six to seven weeks after he had the procedure so if all goes well, then Tkachuk could be ready to play next Wednesday against the Vegas Golden Knights, or perhaps he’ll make his return when the Senators face the Blues in his hometown on Nov. 28 in St. Louis.
Tkachuk recorded the podcast before he went to New York on Monday to meet with Dr. Robert Hotchkiss, who performed the surgery to repair a torn ligament in his thumb, but was confident that he’d get clearance to resume skating with the Senators in California.
“I’ve got a doctor’s appointment in the next couple of days and I’m excited to hear what he has to say for me,” Tkachuk said. “Hopefully, everything is all clear to go out there to battle and compete.
“Hopefully around Thanksgiving we’re back, and we’re ready to rock.”
Tkachuk has missed 16 games so far as a result of the injury he suffered after getting hit into the boards by Nashville’s Roman Josi on Oct. 13 in the club’s home opener at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Matthew is also closing in on a return from adductor surgery that has kept him out of the lineup for the early part of the season and is looking forward to getting back on the ice with his Florida teammates.
Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators hits Spencer Stastney from the Nashville Predators during first-period action at the Canadian Tire Centre on Monday.
Brady said they’re champing at the bit to play again.
“I feel like, and it’s the same with you (Matthew), we’re just itching to get back. We both just want to be playing again,” Brady said. “That’s what we’re meant to be doing. That’s just our calling; we’re at our best when we’re in the fight and in the battle with our teammates.
“It’s so hard when you’re watching from afar and not being a part of it, wishing you had an impact. But the fact that we’re almost on single-digit days of being back, we’re both super, super, super, excited.”
While Tkachuk didn’t take part in the 45-minute skate under the watchful eye of head coach Travis Green on Monday at the Canadian Tire Centre, he was in New York and joined his teammates for the club’s lengthy flight to Los Angeles on Tuesday.
Tkachuk skated as an extra during the drills in Anaheim.
“I’m excited to get on the road with the boys and just get ready,” Brady said. “Just get physically ready, battle it out and just kind of test the thumb in all aspects. Boy, am I itching for that first shift.
“I can’t wait to get some hits on the first shift. I’m fired up!”
He has been able to skate since returning to Ottawa from the surgery and has accompanied the Senators on the road in the past. Tkachuk worked with skating coach Shelley Kettles on his speed until being given the green light to start handling the puck in the last week.
The podcast showed a video of his skating and, apparently, the Tkachuk family was impressed with the work that Brady has done.
“The boots are probably the best they’ve been,” Brady said with a smile.
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Tkachuk said his father, Keith, told him in the family group chat that his “skating looks nice.”
“Brady, you look like you’re flying,” Matthew told him.
Brady said he has been pleased with the way the Senators have been able to compete without him. The Senators have only two losses in the club’s past 13 regulation games heading into California.
“It’s been great. We’re just finding ways,” he said. “Maybe we have a five or 10-minute segment of the game where things aren’t great, but we just find a way to weather the storm.
“Top-to-bottom, I think everybody is playing awesome right now. The will to win is the highest I’ve seen. It all stems from that playoff experience. We’re all treating it day in and day out than we have in the past. It’s all about winning. Nothing really matters except the two points at the end of the day.”