The Sens can’t snap their fingers and replace Tkachuk. He’s the player Ottawa looks to as he sets the tone for the team. He’s the one who makes Senators’ opponents pay a physical price on a regular basis. He’s the face of the franchise. So, not having Tkachuk playing for a long time will hurt the Senators.

Senators captain Brady Tkachuk underwent surgery on his right thumb Thursday, the team announced. The winger is expected to be out until at least Thanksgiving, with a recovery timeline of six to eight weeks.