Brady Tkachuk addresses podcast controversy and only makes things worse

The Ottawa Senators are starting to regain momentum in the playoff race while finding themselves dealing with another off-ice distraction.

The controversy stems from the “Wingmen” podcast, hosted by brothers Brady and Matthew Tkachuk, where they recently welcomed their father, former NHLer Keith Tkachuk. During the episode, Keith made comments about players, most notably goaltenders from his playing days, specifically praising one for playing nearly every game, but the timing raised eyebrows.

Just days earlier, Senators starter Linus Ullmark had been under heavy scrutiny for sitting out a crucial game in the middle of a tight playoff push. With an $8.25 million cap hit, critics questioned how a number one goalie could step away at such a critical moment.

It didn’t take long for fans and media to connect the dots, wondering if Keith’s comments were a subtle jab at Ullmark and the Senators.

When asked about it following the game, Brady Tkachuk didn’t exactly shut things down, choosing to defend his father.

“I completely respect my dad. He’s going to be a Hall of Famer, so I’m not going to put words in his mouth or explain what he said,” Tkachuk told reporters. “If you know him, he’s an outgoing guy, says kind of what he thinks… and I know it comes from a good place.”

Rather than distancing himself from the remarks, Tkachuk’s response only added more fuel to the speculation.

On the ice, Ullmark answered in the best way possible, backstopping Ottawa to a huge 4-1 win over the first-place Buffalo Sabres. The victory pulls the Senators into a three-way tie for the final wild card spot with Detroit and Columbus.

But as the playoff race tightens, so does the spotlight, and Ottawa will need to block out the noise just as much as their opponents. And let’s hope for them that Brady Tkachuk does not make things worse…