If Ottawa continues to underachieve, though, the questions will persist. The no-movement clause in Tkachuk’s contract kicks in on July 1, and it’s ultimately on the Senators to build a team that will prove Tkachuk right in committing and reaffirming his loyalty to the franchise.

Brady Tkachuk has finally spoken out about the rumors linking him to the New York Rangers. Last week, Larry Brooks of The New York Times reported the Rangers have made Ottawa Senators forward Tkachuk their primary target.

Tkachuk revealed that Senators general manager Steve Staios had personally reassured him there was no validity to the rumors, which the player said "didn't even see" when they popped up following a report by Larry Brooks of the New York Post.