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Among the questions in the air:

• Is Tkachuk, who turns 19 on Sept. 16, strong enough to compete every night against NHL veterans?

• Given the uncertain state of the Senators franchise, could the lofty expectations of being a star immediately weigh him down?

• In what is shaping up as year full of potential distractions — Erik Karlsson, Mark Stone and Matt Duchene are all pending unrestricted free agents next summer — is it a healthy environment for a teenager?

• If Tkachuk opts to leave college, is he prepared to play with either Belleville of the American Hockey League or London in the Ontario Hockey League if he’s not quite ready for the big leagues?

• Would a second season proving himself in college, often playing against 22- and 23-year-olds, improve his scoring confidence and give him more leadership opportunities?

Tkachuk has said all along that he would listen closely to family, including father, Keith, who scored 1,065 points in 1,201 NHL games and 20-year-old brother, Matthew, who has blossomed in his first two seasons with the Calgary Flames, before making his decision. The Brothers Tkachuk have spent the past month working out together in Toronto under the watchful eye of former NHL star Gary Roberts.

For what it’s worth, Tkachuk is currently listed on the Boston University Terriers roster for the 2018-19 season.

“He has a good situation at (Boston University),” says Craig Button, TSN’s director of scouting, who has closely watched Tkachuk’s development during the past several years. “Some kids don’t have that many options. In that respect, he’s in a good spot. But if he does sign, it has to be because he really believes he can make the Senators. Many players jump too soon, but I’ve never seen one that waits too long.”