Tkachuk again fends off rumors of leaving Sens: 'Obviously it's a lie'

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk reaffirmed his desire to stay in Canada's capital when asked about recurring rumors of him wanting to leave.

"Obviously it's a lie," Tkachuk said Saturday at his season-ending media appearance, according to Sportsnet. "All those articles and stories, it's just not true. I think it's on me if I let that bother me or take me off what I'm trying to do. Everybody knows that I do whatever it takes to win, and seeing this fanbase, this excitement, see how much they rallied around us, everybody's waiting for it. Everybody wants to accomplish and win the Stanley Cup.

"I know we have a great group in here, and I know we're just going to get that much better. I know there's going to be some amazing times and memories here down the road."

Tkachuk is coming off his first Stanley Cup Playoffs experience and shined with four goals and three assists in a six-game elimination at the hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He's under contract until the summer of 2028, when he'll be an unrestricted free agent unless he inks an extension.

Ottawa and Tkachuk fended off trade rumors in December after it was reported the New York Rangers had a strong desire to acquire the 25-year-old. Senators owner Michael Andlauer then accused the Rangers of soft tampering.

Tkachuk was the fourth overall pick in 2018. He's registered 404 points in 512 games with the Senators and was named captain in 2021.