Senators sign forward Brady Tkachuk to seven-year contract
Brady Tkachuk will spend the next seven seasons with the Ottawa Senators.
"I love everything about being in Ottawa," said Tkachuk shortly after signing a seven-year contract extension to be in Ottawa. "The people, the community, the teammates, coaches, management, ownership - it's the place I wanted to be for a long time."
Just hours before the Senators opened the 2021-22 season against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Canadian Tire Centre, the Senators announced the club signed Tkachuk to a seven-year, $57.5 million contract.
"This is the place I wanted to be, the city has been great to me ever since I've gotten here, the fans are so supportive," said Tkachuk during a media conference at the CTC Thursday night..
"I'm really happy to be back."
Tkachuk was introduced to the capacity crowd at Canadian Tire Centre during the first period of the Senators 3-2 win over Toronto Thursday night.
Tkachuk appeared in each of the Senators' 56 games in 2020-21 and led the team in scoring with 36 points (17 goals, 19 assists).
"We’re thrilled to come to a long-term agreement with Brady," said Senators owner and governor Eugene Melnyk. "He’s a valuable member of our leadership group, is universally respected by his teammates and a player we’re certain will have a significant impact on our success in the seasons ahead."
Tkachuk missed the Senators training camp and pre-season games while contract talks continued.
"It's huge. Obviously having Brady signed and signed to a long-term, seven-year deal is something that the organization has wanted through the off-season," said Anthony Leblanc, Senators president of business operations.
"The fact that it is a long-term, seven-year deal locking up a very important part of the long-term strategy that Pierre (Dorion) and Eugene have been working on is a big deal. It's the endorsement that I think the fan base wanted to see."
Tkachuk posted a video on Twitter featuring the song "Come with Me Now" by Kongos, and saying, "Let's go!"
The 22-year-old Tkachuk was the Senators first round pick in 2018.
The Senators say the contract has an annual value of $8.214 million. The breakdown is $4.0M in 2021-22, $6.5M in 2022-23, $10.5M in 2023-24, $10.5M in 2024-25, $10.5M in 2025-26, $8.5 in 2026-27 and $7.0M in 2027-28.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.