We’re just one day away from the Ottawa Senators’ 2021-22 season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and much of the team’s success this year will depend on how quickly they can lock up restricted free agent forward Brady Tkachuk. To put it simply, Ottawa wants to sign him to a long-term deal, Brady wants to sign a bridge deal and general manager Pierre Dorion is confident the two sides can get a long-term deal done. Hence, the holdout.
It obviously doesn’t bode well for the Senators’ odds of getting off to a good start this year, but Dorion is adamant that the rebuild is over.