Any minute now, my ship is coming in I’ll keep checking the horizon And I’ll check my machine, there’s sure to be that call It’s gonna happen soon, soon, oh so very soon It’s just that times are lean — Colin Hay, longtime Australian-American songwriter
It isn’t often that a team’s fan base is hung up on getting a new contract for a restricted free agent — RFA players are generally considered to hold few real options and little leverage — but in Ottawa, this is where we are. And where Senators fans have been all summer, waiting on Brady.
Brady, Brady . . . to borrow from the title of a young reader hockey series written by Mary Shaw.
With the calendar counting down the days to a Sept. 22 camp launch, the two sides have yet to come up with a deal — the Senators discovering just how much leverage the kid truly has. General manager Pierre Dorion said on a Zoom call Tuesday that negotiations with the Tkachuk camp continue.
“We talked as recently as Friday,” Dorion said, as he spoke to reporters about his own contract extension. “We’re not going to negotiate in public, but talks are ongoing and they’ve been very positive so far.
“So, hopefully the next announcement is definitely more important than this announcement.”
Who is Brady Tkachuk?
In case you have been living under a rock for the past couple of years (or don’t watch Senators hockey), Tkachuk is a player beloved in this marketplace almost beyond reason. A six-foot-four beast of a left winger who doesn’t turn 22 until Sept. 16, yet has the kind of trench-forged reputation and opposition loathing of a veteran Mark Messier or Gordie Howe. No one wanted to tangle with their elbows, either.
A fourth overall draft choice out of Boston University in 2018, Tkachuk is no sniper, yet he led his young Senators team in scoring last season with 36 points in 56 games. Not many of his 17 goals were things of beauty, they were more like rewards from the hockey gods for Tkachuk’s willingness to dine so regularly on the blue tablecloth of the goal crease.
When Tkachuk lost a couple of front teeth in the line of duty one night, he smiled and carried on, laughing at his good fortune that the loose teeth were stuck inside his transient mouthguard for safekeeping, to be reconnected the next morning by team dentist Dr. Bill Henry. Tkachuk wasn’t home from the dentist five minutes before he was on the phone with this Sportsnet reporter, fulfilling an obligation he had made. Typical Brady. Answering the bell.
For his bravado, for his swagger, for his lust to compete, for his ‘Frank the Tank’ shimmy-shake goal celly, for his willingness to “drag his teammates into battle,” as head coach D.J. Smith says so often, Tkachuk wouldn’t be able to pay for a beer in this town over the next eight years if he should happen to sign a contract for that length — for terms likely close to teammate Thomas Chabot’s current eight-year, $64M deal.
Or, perhaps higher than $8M per, given Tkachuk’s importance to the franchise/fan base and the time that has elapsed since Chabot’s deal.
The organization would love to have Brady locked up for eight years, to the point where management has publicly dangled the captaincy in front of Tkachuk. That is, as long as he is willing to go long, as they say on the football sandlot fields.
“You can’t have a captain on a bridge deal,” Senators owner Eugene Melnyk famously said on a Toronto-based broadcast in May. “You can’t have a captain there on a bridge contract, it’s not going to happen.”
Some context to Melnyk’s stipulation. The Senators have had a history of seeing their captains walk.
Daniel Alfredsson wore the ‘C’ for more than a decade, but opted to finish his career in Detroit after a contract dispute in Ottawa. Jason Spezza was captain for just one year (2013-14) before he asked for a trade, feeling he bore too much of the blame for team defeats. Erik Karlsson took on the captaincy from 2014-18, but was traded away during the 2018 camp when no contract extension was worked out. Mark Stone, Brady Tkachuk’s Ottawa landlord, was thought to be the heir-apparent as captain, but left for Las Vegas riches at the 2019 trade deadline.
So, you can understand a touch of sensitivity where the captaincy is concerned. Ottawa hasn’t had a captain since Karlsson, but coach Smith has said he feels it is time to appoint one.
Both Tkachuk and Chabot would make fine captains. In fact, you could make a case that Tkachuk should be left to wreak havoc and do “Brady” things while the calm and steady Chabot speaks on behalf of the team in both official languages.
I would be fine with that. Most would.
But if Tkachuk IS your guy, he is your guy. Whether he signs for three, four or eight years, if he is the guy you want leading, he should wear the ‘C.’
Otherwise, the Senators are sending two clear signals to players and fans: 1. The organization doesn’t believe it has the ability to sign Tkachuk to a second contract, after a bridge deal. And 2. That Chabot is the backup choice.
Chabot as Plan B for the ‘C’
After waiting three years to name a captain, this is no way to begin this critical next phase of growth into contention — by letting on that you opted for Plan B as punishment to Tkachuk for not playing ball in negotiations.
In a perfect world, that point will be moot, as Tkachuk signs a long-term deal and puts on the No. 7 jersey with a ‘C’ stitched on the front.
GM Dorion extended through 2024-25
While it wasn’t the contract fans were longing to hear — the Brady one — few would dispute that Pierre Dorion earned the added security that came with the three-year contract extension announced Tuesday. As with most GMs, there have been trades and acquisitions that didn’t work out, but Dorion’s record as a scout and draft overseer is excellent. As the architect of this deep rebuild, Dorion and draft guru Trent Mann have drafted the likes of Chabot, Tkachuk, Tim Stützle (part of the Erik Karlsson trade windfall), Jake Sanderson, Shane Pinto and more.
Dorion feels his young group is ready to take the next step.
End of the rebuild?
“To me, this is going to be the fun part,” Dorion said. “The rebuild is over. Now we’re stepping into another zone and I’m excited about the group of players we have, with the maturity they’ve brought or gotten over the last few years. I’m excited about some of the veterans and how they’ve taken a big step.”
Dorion, 49, would have been entering the final year of his contract, although there was a team option for another year. Now, that option is tacked on to the end of this extension.
The move gives Dorion the freedom to operate without worrying about his future with the organization, or looking over his shoulder at Pierre McGuire, who was hired this summer as senior VP of player development. Dorion deserves a chance to see this plan through.
Now entering his 15th year with the Senators, Dorion moved into the GM role in April of 2016.
“Stability is the message that it sends to the players,” Dorion said. “I’m going to be the GM here for the next four or five years. As the head of hockey (operations) I’ve brought in most of these players as the GM, chief scout or director of player personnel, and I’ve had a big say here in many of these players coming along with many of our quality staff members.”
“Stability is important,” Dorion added.
Considering the recent extensions for Dorion and head coach D.J. Smith, plus the hiring of McGuire, owner Eugene Melnyk certainly has his staff lined up for the next several seasons — years that should involve Stanley Cup playoff contention for the Sens.
Batherson skates in Ottawa
Fresh off his new six-year, $29.85M deal he signed last week, winger Drake Batherson was in Ottawa Tuesday, skating with about 15 of his Senators teammates before speaking to media on a Zoom call.
Batherson said that signing long-term was an “easy decision,” considering how welcome he feels in Ottawa, and how bullish he is about the team.
“I think we are just going to keep building and hopefully have a great year,” Batherson said. “We’re all competitive guys in there, we all want to win, so we’re definitely not going to go down without battling every night and obviously try to push for a (playoff) spot.”
With 17 goals last season, the 23-year-old Batherson was tied with Tkachuk and Josh Norris for second in the team’s goal-scoring department, behind Connor Brown’s 21. Tkachuk, Brown, Norris and Batherson were also jammed together in points — 36, 35, 35 and 34. The essence of Ottawa’s top six forwards is an ability to make plays, but with that shooting element as well.
Last week, Dorion said he could see Batherson hitting the 30-35 goal range if he shoots a bit more.
Batherson doesn’t expect the weight of the new, albeit back-loaded, contract to slow him down.
“I’m pretty hard on myself to just be good every night,” Batherson said. “Every single game, every practice, I’m always trying to get better. I hate to lose — super competitive guy — that’s the driving point for me.”
EDMONTON – The Edmonton Oilers signed defenceman Travis Dermott to a professional tryout on Friday.
Dermott, a 27-year-old from Newmarket, Ont., produced two goals, five assists and 26 penalty minutes in 50 games with the Arizona Coyotes last season.
The six-foot, 202-pound blueliner has also played for the Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Toronto drafted him in the second round, 34th overall, of the 2015 NHL draft.
Over seven NHL seasons, Dermott has 16 goals and 46 assists in 329 games while averaging 16:03 in ice time.
Before the NHL, Dermott played two seasons with Oilers captain Connor McDavid for the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters. The team was coached by current Edmonton head coach Kris Knoblauch.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins will bring in another quarterback while starter Tua Tagovailoa deals with his latest concussion, coach Mike McDaniel said Friday.
For now, Skylar Thompson will be considered the Dolphins’ starter while Tagovailoa is sidelined. Tagovailoa left Thursday night’s 31-10 loss to Buffalo in the third quarter with the third known concussion of his NFL career, all of them coming in the last 24 months.
“The team and the organization are very confident in Skylar,” McDaniel said.
McDaniel said the team has not made any decision about whether to place Tagovailoa on injured reserve. Tagovailoa was expected at the team facility on Friday to start the process of being evaluated in earnest.
“We just have to operate in the unknown and be prepared for every situation,” McDaniel said, noting that the only opinions that will matter to the team will be the ones from Tagovailoa and the medical staff.
McDaniel added that he doesn’t see Tagovailoa playing in Miami’s next game at Seattle on Sept. 22.
“I have no idea and I’m not going to all of a sudden start making decisions that I don’t even see myself involved in the most important parts of,” McDaniel added. “All I’m telling Tua is everyone is counting on you to be a dad and be a dad this weekend. And then we’ll move from there. There won’t be any talk about where we’re going in that regard … none of that will happen without doctors’ expertise and the actual player.”
Tagovailoa was 17 for 25 passing for 145 yards, with one touchdown and three interceptions — one of which was returned for a Buffalo score — when he got hurt. Thompson completed eight of 14 passes for 80 yards.
Thompson said he feels “fully equipped” to run the Dolphins’ offense.
“What’s going to lie ahead, who knows, but man, I’m confident, though,” Thompson said after Thursday’s game. “I feel like I’m ready for whatever’s to come. I’m going to prepare and work hard and do everything I can to lead this team and do my job.”
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained a concussion for the third time in his NFL career, leaving his team’s game Thursday night against Buffalo after running into defensive back Damar Hamlin and hitting the back of his head against the turf.
Tagovailoa remained down for about two minutes before getting to his feet and walking to the sideline after the play in the third quarter. He made his way to the tunnel not long afterward, looking into the stands before smiling and departing toward the locker room.
The Dolphins needed almost no time before announcing it was a concussion. The team said he had two during the 2022 season, and Tagovailoa was diagnosed with another concussion when he was a college player at Alabama.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Tagovailoa would get “proper procedural evaluation” and “appropriate care” on Friday.
“The furthest thing from my mind is, ‘What is the timeline?’ We just need to evaluate and just worry about my teammate, like the rest of the guys are,” McDaniel said. “We’ll get more information tomorrow and take it day by day from here.”
Some players saw Tagovailoa in the locker room after the game and said they were encouraged. Tagovailoa spoke with some players and then went home after the game, McDaniel said.
“I have a lot of love for Tua, built a great relationship with him,” said quarterback Skylar Thompson, who replaced Tagovailoa after the injury. “You care about the person more than the player and everybody in the organization would say the same thing. Just really praying for Tua and hopefully everything will come out all right.”
Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212 million extension before this season — a deal that makes him one of the highest-paid players in the NFL — and was the NFL’s leading passer in Week 1 this season. Tagovailoa left with the Dolphins trailing 31-10, and that was the final score.
“If you know Tua outside of football, you can’t help but feel for him,” Bills quarterback Josh Allen said on Amazon following the game. “He’s a great football player but he’s an even greater human being. He’s one of the best humans on the planet. I’ve got a lot of love for him and I’m just praying for him and his family, hoping everything’s OK. But it’s tough, man. This game of football that we play, it’s got its highs and it’s got its lows — and this is one of the lows.”
Tagovailoa’s college years and first three NFL seasons were marred by injury, though he positioned himself for a big pay bump with an injury-free and productive 2023 as he led the Dolphins into the playoffs. He threw for 29 touchdowns and a league-best 4,624 yards last year.
When, or if, he can come back this season is anyone’s guess. Tagovailoa said in April 2023 that the concussions he had in the 2022 season left him contemplating his playing future. “I think I considered it for a time,” he said then, when asked if he considered stepping away from the game to protect himself.
McDaniel said it’s not his place to say if Tagovailoa should return to football. “He’ll be evaluated and we’ll have conversations and progress as appropriate,” McDaniel said.
Tagovailoa was hurt Thursday on a fourth-down keeper with about 4:30 left in the third. He went straight ahead into Hamlin and did not slide, leading with his right shoulder instead.
Hamlin was the player who suffered a cardiac arrest after making a tackle during a Monday night game in January 2023 at Cincinnati, causing the NFL to suspend a pivotal game that quickly lost significance in the aftermath of a scary scene that unfolded in front of a national television audience.
Tagovailoa wound up on his back, both his hands in the air and Bills players immediately pointed at him as if to suggest there was an injury. Dolphins center Aaron Brewer quickly did the same, waving to the sideline.
Tagovailoa appeared to be making a fist with his right hand as he lay on the ground. It was movement consistent with something that is referred to as the “fencing response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury.
Tagovailoa eventually got to his feet. McDaniel grabbed the side of his quarterback’s head and gave him a kiss on the cheek as Tagovailoa departed. Thompson came into the game to take Tagovailoa’s spot.
“I love Tua on and off the football field,” Bills edge Von Miller said. “I’m a huge fan of him. I can empathize and sympathize with him because I’ve been there. I wish him the best.”
Tagovailoa’s history with concussions — and how he has since worked to avoid them — is a huge part of the story of his career, and now comes to the forefront once again.
He had at least two concussions during the 2022 season. He was hurt in a Week 3 game against Buffalo and cleared concussion protocol, though he appeared disoriented on that play but returned to the game.
The NFL later changed its concussion protocol to mandate that if a player shows possible concussion symptoms — including a lack of balance or stability — he must sit out the rest of the game.
Less than a week later, in a Thursday night game at Cincinnati, Tagovailoa was concussed on a scary hit that briefly knocked him unconscious and led to him being taken off the field on a stretcher.
His second known concussion of that season came in a December game against Green Bay, and he didn’t play for the rest of the 2022 season. After that, Tagovailoa began studying ways where he may be able to fall more safely and protect himself against further injury — including studying jiu-jitsu.
“I’m not worried about anything that’s out of my hands,” McDaniel said. “I’m just worried about the human being.”
