Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk will make his return to the lineup Friday against his hometown St. Louis Blues.
Tkachuk confirmed on the Wingmen podcast he co-hosts with his brother that he will be back for Friday’s game in an episode released Wednesday.
The update comes after Senators head coach Travis Green said on Monday that Tkachuk is on track to return to the lineup “sooner [rather] than later.” He will miss Wednesday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights.
“I’m feeling great,” Tkachuk said on the episode, which was taped Monday. “The no contact jersey is coming off. I’m ready to take some bumps, take some hits and I’ve got a little battle in me.
“I can’t believe I’ve got six periods left and then we’re back. I’ve got a couple of bag skates, I’ve got to get through those. We have to check some boxes, but everything looks good for Friday. The boys have been playing great. I’m just excited to join them.”
The 26-year-old winger was injured in the third game of the season on Oct. 13 and had thumb surgery four days later.
Tkachuk has missed 19 games after undergoing surgery on Oct. 16 to repair a torn ligament on his thumb and was expected to need a recovery time of six-to-eight weeks. He resumed skating with his teammates two weeks ago.
The 26-year-old has three assists over three games this season after netting 29 goals and 26 assists over 72 games in 2024-25.
Senators general manager Steve Staios said earlier in the month that Tkachuk has continued to be a presence even while injured.
“Brady’s done all he can to continue to lead, even with his injury, being in and around the group,” Staios said on Nov. 10. “Credit to the group. We know how much of an impact that he is for us as a team, yet our players took it upon themselves to step up and continue to play well.”
The team has gone 10-5-4 without Tkachuk in the lineup for a 11-7-4 record overall.
Selected fourth overall in 2018, Tkachuk has 191 goals and 407 points in 515 career games. He had 29 goals and 55 points in 72 games last season after topping 30 goals and 65 points in each of the previous three seasons.