Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk is skating pain-free again and says he’s fully recovered from the injury that plagued him through the last couple of months of the 2024–25 season.

On Monday, during an appearance on the Coming In Hot podcast, Tkachuk gave a full summertime health update, confirming that he’s finally back to 100% after battling through injuries that began at the 4 Nations Faceoff in February.

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Tkachuk was asked by host Brent Wallace how long it took after the season to get healthy.

“I definitely went with a more conservative approach,” Tkachuk said. “I wouldn't say I had like anything major, just you know, just (needed) rest. And I think it took six weeks off of not doing anything. And then doing some little rehab exercises, but I really just tried letting rest do its job. And no, I feel great, actually. I feel like I really turned the corner the last couple of weeks and feel back to 100%. I started skating July 1st and I've been feeling really good. So, I'm happy with the progress and where everything's at.”

Tkachuk also shared what the main issue had been:

“It was mostly like the hip flexor, groin, just all in that general vicinity. I don't know, I just pulled it, and it obviously didn't heal, just kept playing on it. So, it just kind of bugged me for the rest of the way. But I'm glad we kind of took the time after to reset it. Honestly, it feels 100 percent. I feel great. So, now I'm happy with kind of how everything's been going and how I'm feeling right now.”

As he went deeper into the details, Tkachuk explained how the injury management became a balance between pushing through and preparing to heal properly afterward:

“It had been like three weeks to a month of just shutting it down. And obviously at that point in the season, there's no tomorrow to shut it down for. I just knew it was going to be a problem probably after the season that I’d have to get figured out. So, no, it's good. I mean, it happened for a reason. So, it kind of allowed the mental side of things to take over when it wasn't feeling great 100% physically."

Now, with skating resumed and the injury behind him, the 25-year-old captain is focused on the season ahead. For a Sens team looking to take the next step in 2025–26, having their emotional leader and top forward healthy and re-energized is a great step in the right direction.

Watch Tkachuk's hour-long appearance on the Coming in Hot Podcast here.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa
Image Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

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