Brady Tkachuk is gone — it’s time for the Ottawa Senators to move on and name a new captain. Luckily, the team has three outstanding candidates in Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot and Tim Stutzle. Any of them could wear the 'C' come fall with little questioning from the fan base. But someone must receive the honour. Who deserves it the most? Who is the locker-room pick? Who is a guaranteed Senator for life? Let’s break it all down.
Thomas Chabot: The Longest-Tenured Senator
The longest-tenured Senator might also be the most popular player amongst his teammates. Chabot, Ottawa’s 18th-overall selection in the 2015 NHL draft, has been a fixture on the Sens blue line for nearly a decade. When asked during a Senators Gala fireside chat in February which Senator is most likely to throw a party for team bonding, Stutzle and Shane Pinto promptly answered ‘Chabby.’
Chabot is revered for his willingness to fight through injuries. Coach Travis Green and former bench boss D.J. Smith have combined for multiple hours’ worth of public praise of the defenceman’s pain tolerance. Chabot revealed in late April that his broken forearm was “far from being healed” when he played all four post-season games against the Carolina Hurricanes. “I hate watching,” Chabot said. “At that time of the year, and to come into the playoffs, I was able to play hockey and the team and everybody were fine with it, so I got back into the lineup. Plates and screws, that’s what got me to play, to be honest.”
The decision isn’t typically up to the room in the NHL, but if you polled the players perhaps Chabot would be the consensus pick for captain.
Tim Stutzle: From Raw Talent to Superstar
When he arrived in the nation’s capital at the age of 18, only more obvious than the raw talent Stutzle possessed was the maturation he needed to undergo. Six seasons later, the German — now on the verge of hockey superstardom — has grown into a seriously well-rounded player. He defends extremely well, kills penalties every night and becomes more fearless and physically dominant with each game.
However, there are still steps he must take, and Stutzle is well aware. The last we heard from him, the German was introspective and hopeful for what the future holds. “There’s going to be way more, way harder lessons learned over the next years,” Stutzle said on locker clean-out day. “It’s just how you get out of it. But I think the team is on a great path. I love playing here; I love playing with these guys. I think we have something really good going and I think we’re going to be good for a long time.”
Jake Sanderson: The Rising Star
Jake Sanderson, the Senators' first-round pick in 2020, has quickly established himself as a cornerstone on defence. His calm, composed play and leadership qualities have drawn comparisons to veteran captains. While he may be the youngest of the three candidates, his maturity and on-ice performance make him a strong contender for the 'C'.
As the Senators look to the future, Sanderson represents the next generation of leadership. He has already taken on mentorship roles and is a fixture in the community, embodying the qualities the franchise values.
Who will ultimately be chosen? The decision rests with management, but any of these three would wear the captaincy with pride. The Senators have a bright future, and the new captain will lead them into it.
