The Ottawa Senators are having a tough season, currently sitting last in the Atlantic Division with an 18-15-5 record. They are coming off a 4-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, marking their third consecutive defeat.

Fans had hoped the team’s fortunes might improve after captain Brady Tkachuk returned from injury, but results have been mixed at best.

Ottawa Senators Fans React to Brady Tkachuk’s Post-Injury Form

Tkachuk suffered a fully torn ligament in his right thumb back that required surgery back in October against the Nashville Predators. After missing 20 games, he returned to the lineup on November 28.

Since his return, the Senators have a 6-8-1 record. Interestingly, Ottawa has performed better without Tkachuk this season, posting an 11-5-4 record in his absence, and a 3-8-0 record before his injury. Additionally, a few feel he is just in conservation mode.

Even though Tkachuk is putting up points at a point-per-game pace (18 points in 18 games), the team’s overall performance hasn’t matched expectations.

Fans have been vocal on social media about Brady Tkachuk’s performance since returning from injury, and opinions are mixed, reflecting both frustration and support.

Some supporters question whether Tkachuk has been holding back to prepare for the Olympics. One fan wrote, “If Brady Tkachuk is not giving it his all every night because he is ‘saving it for the Olympics,’ then that would be completely unacceptable in my opinion.”

Another echoed similar concerns, saying, “All I’m saying is, if Brady Tkachuk plays in the Olympics with the same energy he brought to the 4 Nations, I’m going to be livid. We haven’t seen that energy at ALL this year for Ottawa. It was every game for Team USA. Is Brady afraid to get hurt before the Olympics?”

Other fans see it as a mismatch between Tkachuk’s potential and the team’s current performance. One wrote, “The most frustrating thing is the Brady we’ll see at the Olympics is the one we desperately need right now. Where is the fire and emotion?”

Another expressed displeasure over potential Olympic roster decisions, commenting, “They’re gonna but Brady Tkachuk on that team instead of Jason Robertson and ill be bitter about for the rest of my life.”

Yet, not all feedback is critical. Some recognize that the team’s struggles are not solely Tkachuk’s responsibility. “It’s not all on the captain. The power play has been elite, tied for 4th best in the league since his return. But it’s so jarring compared to their record without him,” one fan pointed out.

One fan defended the captain’s commitment, insisting, “There’s zero percent chance he’s saving himself for the Olympics. He’s all in, I have zero doubt about that.”

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The debate over Tkachuk’s post-injury performance continues to grow, as fans closely watch how he and the Senators respond in their upcoming matchup against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.