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The Ottawa Senators’ injury luck continues to tumble, as rookie forward Brady Tkachuk will miss the next month with a torn ligament in his leg.
Breaking: Brady Tkachuk has a torn ligament in his leg and will miss a month.
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) October 17, 2018
Although not confirmed, it’s very likely the injury occurred in Monday’s game against the Dallas Stars, when he hobbled to the bench following his hit on Blake Comeau.
Brady Tkachuk goes for a hit on Comeau and looks to go somewhat awkwardly into the boards. Tkachuk hobbles off but stays on the Senators bench. pic.twitter.com/DOJTKtvrQM
— Dylan Nadwodny (@dnadders) October 15, 2018
Tkachuk, who was recently drafted 4th overall in the 2018 draft, has quickly become one of the most important forwards on the Sens roster. Playing on a line with Zack Smith and Mark Stone, he’s already amassed three goals and six points in his first four games. He was named Ottawa’s first star of the week on Monday, and also one of the biggest standouts in our latest prospect update.
The injury is just one of many that’s plagues the Sens already this season, with Cody Ceci, Ryan Dzingel and Alex Formenton being placed on the injured reserve this past Friday, with Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Marian Gaborik and Clarke MacArthur already out long-term. Tkachuk already missed the first two games of the season with a “nagging thing”, although it’s unknown whether it’s connected to his current injury.
Nick Paul will likely take Tkachuk’s spot in the lineup, as it’ll force Guy Boucher to continue using the formation of eleven forwards and seven defencemen.