It appears the Ottawa Senators will not be waiting long to replace departed forward Brady Tkachuk as team captain.
Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports that president and general manager Steve Staios is closing on a decision in tandem with head coach Travis Green. He adds the belief is the Senators would like to name a captain before training camp opens on Sept. 16.
Garrioch lists defencemen Thomas Chabot and Jake Sanderson and centre Tim Stutzle as the top candidates to become the 11th captain in franchise history.
Chabot is eligible for new contract next summer, which could factor into the decision. He is currently signed at an average annual value of $8 million through 2027-28.
Sanderson is signed through 2032 at an $8.05 million cap hit, while Stutzle’s deal - at a team-high $8.35 million AAV - runs through 2031.
Tkachuk was named captain of the Senators prior to the 2021-22, holding the role for five seasons before he was traded to the Florida Panthers in June.
Ottawa went without a captain for three years before choosing Tkachuk to lead the franchise after trading Erik Karlsson to the San Jose Sharks just prior to the 2018-19 campaign.
Karlsson had a four-year run as captain after Jason Spezza wore the “C” in 2013-14. Prior to Spezza, Daniel Alfredsson spent 13 seasons as captain of the Senators.
