“Worst captain in sports”: Fans thrashed Brady Tkachuk for on-ice aggression against Blue Jackets

Brady Tkachuk , captain of the Ottawa Senators , is known for his aggressive and physical style of play. During a recent game against the Columbus Blue Jackets , his on-ice actions sparked backlash from fans, with some even calling him reckless and questioning his leadership. Some labeled him one of the worst captains, arguing that his aggression hurts the team.

NHL fans rip into Brady Tkachuk after heated exchange with Blue Jackets
During the first period, Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk delivered a late shove to Columbus Blue Jackets forward Sean Monahan after he had already moved the puck. This aggressive move led Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko to step in and confront Tkachuk in defense of his teammate. As a result, Tkachuk was assessed a roughing penalty.

The incident sparked backlash on social media, with many NHL fans criticizing Brady Tkachuk’s actions. One tweeted saying, “Worst captain in sports.” Another one wrote, “Biggest fake tough guy in the league.” "The fact he is even in this game is kinda crazy after he elbowed the guys head into the ice last game," one wrote. "Crazy choice of caption from an organization full of TML fluffers. Guy gets grabbed by some no name basically wearing a bubble and ends up with the only penalty, brutal call," another wrote.

"How Brady got a penalty is hilarious, and honestly I’m not surprised by the comments.. sportnet followers are as trashy as their panel," a user commented. "So Brady gets jumped by a chickenshit with a full face shield and HE is the only player penalized? Make that make sense," another wrote.
Tkachuk has always been a polarizing figure—while Senators fans appreciate his passion and leadership, others see his physicality as excessive. This isn't the first time Tkachuk has drawn criticism for his rough play, as he often engages in fights and racks up penalty minutes.

Despite the backlash, the Senators' management and coaching staff continue to support Tkachuk. General Manager Steve Staios and head coach D.J. Smith have praised his competitive nature, emphasizing that his emotional engagement is a key part of the team's identity. They believe his energy helps elevate the team, even if it occasionally leads to controversy.

The Senators secured a 3-2 win over the Blue Jackets with goals from Ridly Greig, Drake Batherson, and Jake Sanderson. Boone Jenner and Kirill Marchenko scored for Columbus. Linus Ullmark made 29 saves for Ottawa, while Daniil Tarasov stopped 24 shots in the loss. Greig opened the scoring, but Jenner quickly equalized. Batherson and Sanderson extended Ottawa’s lead before Marchenko cut it to 3-2 in the third. Despite the late push, Columbus couldn't complete the comeback. Coach Travis Green praised the team's energy and effort, calling it a playoff-like game.

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While some fans criticize his leadership, others argue that his physicality and grit are exactly what the Senators need. Whether viewed as an enforcer or an overly aggressive captain, Tkachuk remains a central figure in Ottawa’s lineup.