{"id":392402,"date":"2026-01-05T21:12:28","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T21:12:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/392402\/"},"modified":"2026-01-05T21:12:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T21:12:28","slug":"ottawa-senators-brady-tkachuk-says-hes-given-up-fighting-after-thumb-surgery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/392402\/","title":{"rendered":"Ottawa Senators’ Brady Tkachuk says he\u2019s given up fighting after thumb surgery"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ottawa Senators<\/a> captain Brady Tkachuk<\/a> admitted Monday he\u2019s given up fighting as his hand remains taped after undergoing thumb surgery earlier this season.<\/p>\n

The 26-year-old winger has just 22 penalty minutes through 20 games this season, on pace to finish with fewer than 100 for just the third time in his career and first time since 2021.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s a part of who I am and part of creating room for myself for my teammates. Now I gotta be smart,\u201d Tkachuk said Monday. \u201cPeople forgot I had surgery. I missed six weeks, the repair went well but I\u2019m not going to put myself at risk to miss any time for that. Obviously I miss it, I wish I could be fighting. But for me it\u2019s about team toughness and everyone taking that load.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tkachuk\u2019s comments came after he was sucker-punched by Winnipeg Jets<\/a> defenceman Logan Stanley<\/a> during the Senators win on Saturday. Tkachuk was seemingly trying to push Stanley into Ottawa\u2019s bench before an official separated the two, at which point Stanley threw the punch. Tkachuk received a 10-minute misconduct on the play while Stanley received two minor penalties. The Jets blueliner received a one-game suspension for roughing on Sunday.<\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, I was still watching the play and then out of the corner of my eye, I just see the punch coming, caught me by surprise, I didn\u2019t expect it,\u201d Tkachuk explained. \u201cI wasn\u2019t happy getting suckered, but the league made its decision. I\u2019m over it, I could care less now, it\u2019s in the past.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brady Tkachuk spoke for the first time since this incident: <\/p>\n

“Honestly, I was still watching the play & then out of the corner of my eye I just see the punch coming, caught me by surprise, I didn\u2019t expect it.” <\/p>\n

“I wasn\u2019t happy getting suckered but the league made it\u2019s decision.\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/BeOpHDVJR2<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Claire Hanna (@clahanna) January 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

With Tkachuk\u2019s days of dropping the gloves seemingly over for now, the Senators are working on filling the enforcer role by committee this season. He praised Drake Batherson<\/a> for taking on Justin Sourdif<\/a> of the Washington Capitals<\/a> in defence of Thomas Chabot<\/a> last week. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe other night Drake stepped up and did an awesome job, he\u2019s done that in the past. Told him I\u2019ve never been more proud of him for stepping up for a teammate like that,\u201d Tkachuk said. \u201cI think we\u2019re learning and growing in that area as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ottawa enters Monday\u2019s game against the Detroit Red Wings<\/a> sitting three points back of the Washington Capitals<\/a> for the final wild-card spot with two games in hand. <\/p>\n

Tkachuk has six goals and 19 points in 20 games this season after posting 29 goals and 55 points in 72 games last season.<\/p>\n