Brady Tkachuk, captain of the Ottawa Senators, has announced a positive health update as he prepares for the upcoming NHL season. On July 14, during an appearance on the Coming in Hot podcast, Tkachuk revealed he is fully recovered from a lower-body injury that limited him late in the 2024–25 campaign and has returned to skating without pain. This marks an important milestone in his Brady Tkachuk NHL season prep, raising hopes for his impact on the Senators’ upcoming run.
The 25-year-old athlete acknowledged the injury affected his explosiveness and his typically physical style on the ice. However, after months of focused rehabilitation and rest during the offseason, Tkachuk expressed confidence in his progress.
“I feel like I really turned the corner the last couple of weeks and feel back to 100%. I started skating on July 1st, and I’ve been feeling really good. So, I’m happy with the progress and where everything’s at,”
he said.
Unlikely Training Partners Highlight Offseason Session
In an unexpected twist to his offseason routine, Tkachuk was spotted on August 3, 2025, practicing alongside Matt Rempe and Trevor Zegras, players from rival NHL teams. This joint training session happened ahead of the new season, suggesting a different approach to competitiveness during the offseason. Despite their affiliations with different franchises, the three forwards shared time on the ice to hone their skills.
Matt Rempe was drafted by the New York Rangers in 2020 but only signed his initial NHL contract with the team in 2025, agreeing to a two-year deal worth $1.95 million. Trevor Zegras, on the other hand, currently plays for the Philadelphia Flyers. He was originally a first-round pick in 2019 by the Anaheim Ducks and was traded to Philadelphia one month ago. This trade involved the Flyers sending center Ryan Poehling, a second-round draft pick for 2025 (45th overall) from the Columbus Blue Jackets, and a 2026 fourth-round pick to Anaheim.
Potential Implications of Cross-Rivalry Collaboration
The sighting of Brady Tkachuk training with Rempe and Zegras has raised questions about whether the NHL offseason is evolving into a time of camaraderie beyond team borders, or simply a practical way for players to maintain form before the season begins. For Tkachuk, who is eager to regain his full competitive edge, this collaboration could signal both serious preparation and a willingness to learn from peers across the league.
As the Senators aim to improve their performance in the new season, having their captain back at full strength will be critical. Tkachuk’s progress and his interactions with emerging talents like Rempe and established playmakers like Zegras could influence team dynamics across the NHL. Fans and analysts will be watching closely as these relationships develop and as training ramps up heading into the 2025–26 NHL season.