While it was probably a net positive for the Ottawa Senators to move on from Brady Tkachuk, there will undoubtedly be an absence felt by the team this season. If the Senators want to find themselves back in the playoffs, everyone will have to step up. But these three players may be on the hot seat more than anyone else.
William Eklund
William Eklund joins the Senators as Tkachuk's intended replacement, coming over in a trade where Ottawa flipped one of the picks they got in the Tkachuk trade. The 23-year-old left winger will likely assume Tkachuk's vacant spot on the top line with Stutzle and Batherson. If Eklund blends well with his new teammates, it shouldn't be too hard for him to replicate, and possibly exceed, Tkachuk's offensive contributions.
In his three full-time seasons in the league, Eklund has been in the 45-58 point range, which matches quite nicely with the numbers Tkachuk has put up in the last couple of seasons. Last season, Eklund had 53 points, just lower than his previous season. Comparatively, Tkachuk had 59. It's not too much of a stretch for Eklund to see that total next season.
The biggest difference between Tkachuk's and Eklund's production is the type of production. Out of the 163 points that Eklund has earned in his career, 113 of those are assists and only 50 are goals. For Tkachuk, his goals and assist totals are much closer at 250 assists and 213 goals. Eklund may have to step up in the goal-scoring category, especially if he gets time on the power play.
Dylan Cozens
Dylan Cozens and Brady Tkachuk were tied in points last season. Without the points that Tkachuk brings to the team, the Senators will be looking for Cozens to have an even better season in 2026-27. Cozens does seem to be finding his stride again. After putting up 68 points in the 2022-23 season with the Buffalo Sabres, Cozens hadn't really found that level of production again. His 59 points last season were the most he's had since then, and the Senators will hope he can keep trending in the right direction.
The Senators will also be hoping to get a good feel for if this production level can be sustained or if it was a one-off before his no-trade clause kicks in before the 2027-28 season.
Tim Stutzle
With Brady Tkachuk gone, Stutzle needs to step up into his role as the Senators' best player. In the last few years, Stutzle has been at the top or near the top in points for the team. Like Eklund, who plays on Stutzle's wing, he's a more prolific playmaker than scorer, which could prove difficult if he doesn't have the right finishing linemates. With the team losing about 30 goals a season from Tkachuk, someone is going to have to start putting the puck in the net.
Stutzle may also be called on to fill another type of role with the team now that Tkachuk has moved on: captain. The Senators have a few options for who they can turn to as the captain next season, and Stutzle is undeniably one of them. His tenure as a Senator, plus his long-term deal, makes him a great candidate for the role. Even if the Senators opt not to go with a captain, they still need a leader, and some of that will undoubtedly fall to Stutzle.
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