Article content continued

There’s a widespread feeling it would serve Tkachuk well to go back for a second year of U.S. college hockey, but the Senators are going to be selling hope next season and, let’s be honest, having him in the lineup, learning how to play at the NHL level, wouldn’t be the worst thing for the franchise.

The Senators are committed to going younger, too. Forwards Alex Formenton, Logan Brown and Drake Batherson will all get good looks in camp and could make the opening night roster.

Tkachuk told reporters he needed to discuss the situation with his father. It certainly sound as if he was leaning towards going back to school, but no final decision has been made/

If the Senators have their way, he’ll sign with them.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but it’ll be us to figure out down the road,” Keith Tkachuk told Postmedia’s Kristen Anderson on Friday night.

“Right now, he’s planning on going back to school. It’s different for everyone. We have to make sure it’s the right decision, but we have to do what’s best for Brady.”

Dorion saw Tkachuk play eight or nine times this past season, including his standout stint with the United States team in the world junior championship.

“Part of our short, medium and long-term planning is to add players like this,” Dorion said. “A player with this character, a player of this nature, a player who can score goals in the way a lot of the goals are scored in the NHL, all around the net.

“It’s something we find invaluable. We want this player to be part of our team for the long term, but also in our long-term playoff success, but those players are invaluable when the puck drops in the playoffs. Guys like Brady Tkachuk, their value goes even higher when the playoffs start. That’s where we want to be.”