Controversial podcast: Brady Tkachuk defends his father

The Tkachuk brothers sparked a new controversy this week when they invited their father onto their podcast, and he took the opportunity to express his disgust with today's players—who don't play when they're injured, who complain when they don't sleep well, who refuse to play two games in two nights (goalies), or who are mentally fragile.

Honestly, I have no problem hearing a former player make such comments; I believe in freedom of speech.

However, when it's clear that many of Keith Tkachuk's comments are aimed—directly or indirectly—at Linus Ullmark, the Ottawa Senators' #1 goaltender, and the team captain is sitting right in front of Keith (his father), I expect that same captain to show a little leadership.

Except that Brady chose to laugh and not say a single word…

Result: Brady is a distraction for his team, in the midst of a playoff race, and more and more people see him leaving Ottawa this summer. Perhaps that was the intention of the whole family in addressing such a topic on the podcast?

Yesterday, before the Senators' game, the Senators' communications department didn't “send out” Linus Ullmark and Brady Tkachuk. Reporters had to settle for chatting with I'm not sure who…

After the game, Brady faced the music—though the music is always sweeter after a win—and held a press conference in front of his locker. Here's what he said in response to questions about his father and THE podcast of the week:

“I have deep respect for my father. He's going to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, so I'm not going to put words in his mouth or interpret his own words. If you know him, you know he's an outspoken guy who says what he thinks, and I know it's always well-intentioned […] I spoke with my dad again and he didn't take shots at anyone.” – Keith Tkachuk

Brady Tkachuk on the podcast comments: “I completely respect my dad. He's going to be a Hall of Famer so, I mean, I'm not going to put words in his mouth or explain what he said. If you know him, he's an outgoing guy, says kind of what he thinks, and I know it comes… pic.twitter.com/5DsGOJmtCO

— Coming In Hot (@ComingInHotSens) April 3, 2026

First
, I feel a bit uncomfortable hearing (and seeing) Brady Tkachuk defend his father like this, reminding me that he didn't once defend the players targeted—even indirectly—by his father during the podcast
. Brady admitted that he felt the comments were directed at the Panthers players and that he therefore didn't need to get involved. He still should have taken a stand, if you ask me. It's his podcast
.

By saying nothing, he's agreeing. Silence means consent, right?

Second, I really wonder what Keith Tkachuk's good intentions were when he started belittling the new generation of hockey players.

Third, I can't even imagine the impact this story would have in Montreal if it involved Nick Suzuki, his father, his brother, and Samuel Montembeault. I can't believe Brady Tkachuk will be back in Ottawa in September. The distraction will only grow if he isn't traded.

We're just talking here… but if Brady is right and his father's comments were aimed at the Panthers players, should Matthew Tkachuk have defended his teammates?

It's worth noting that Brady Tkachuk praised Linus Ullmark after the game. He made no connection between his father's comments and Ullmark.