Brady Tkachuk Reflects on Playoff Clash With 'Deepest' Maple Leafs Team Yet
Photo credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
In a recent interview with Leafs Morning Take, Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk reflected on his first round loss against Toronto, but it wasn't all negative when it came to his comments.
While there is always some bad blood when the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators face off, it was escalated to another level this past season with both teams putting in a gruelling effort that saw the Leafs escape with the series victory.
It might have sparked a brand new rivalry, and while that will bring a brand new dynamic to the rivalry, is there going to be some serious tension between Tkachuk and the Maple Leafs?
Brady Tkachuk Comments On Maple Leafs' Team Makeup
If so, things could explode and there could be some real consequences, however if you were to ask the Sens captain himself, it's becoming more of a friendlier clash, and had some very surprising comments in a recent interview.
Appearing on Leafs Morning Take, Tkachuk (from the comfort of his car) spoke with Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill about his relationship with the Leafs and if there was some real hate to which Tkachuk was quite complimentary:
They have such a great team. We knew going into it that's probably the deepest team that they've had in the last couple years. We knew it was going to be a dog fight from the opening puck drop.
It was a bit of a surprise given that it seems like when he's on the ice, there's zero love for his opponents.
Brady Tkachuk Inspired By Auston Matthews
Though he does share some love for his rival captain Auston Matthews:
I've known Auston since I was 14, 15? He's a really funny guy, great guy to be around, and was pretty awesome for me to learn from him as a captain himself; plus he's one of the best players in the NHL.
I was just super impressed with how dialled in he was and how professional and how even keeled he was, you know it felt like nothing ever bothered him and he'll go out there and lead by example with his work ethic.
I think a lot of the things he does go under the radar. He's such an important piece for the team, and I was very lucky to be able to learn from him as well.
I was just super impressed with how dialled in he was and how professional and how even keeled he was, you know it felt like nothing ever bothered him and he'll go out there and lead by example with his work ethic.
I think a lot of the things he does go under the radar. He's such an important piece for the team, and I was very lucky to be able to learn from him as well.
It's a great bit of sportsmanship from Tkachuk and we can clearly see that while there is a rivalry on the ice, it's all business; nothing personal.
The two are well acquainted playing together as well, given their elite status as part of the US Hockey Team, and it's a frightening duo to have barreling down the ice, and have a combined 22 points in international competition playing with each other.
Tkachuk, 25, had 55 points in 72 games for the Senators last season (29 goals, 26 assists) and added 7 points in 6 playoff contests (4 goals, 3 assists).
Suffice to say that while the Battle of Ontario is expected to be as tense as ever, with both teams looking to solidify themselves as Atlantic Division powerhouses, one thing remains certain.
It'll be the Brady and Auston show for the foreseeable future.
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