Senators Appoint Chabot as Captain After Tkachuk Trade
Ottawa named defenseman Thomas Chabot its 11th captain on Sept. 29. The vacancy arose after Brady Tkachuk requested a trade and was dealt to Florida. Chabot, who has spent nine seasons with the Senators, was chosen over Tim Stutzle, Jake Sanderson, and Claude Giroux and received praise from general manager Steve Staios.
Ottawa's captaincy became open when Brady Tkachuk asked to leave and was traded to Florida. Thomas Chabot, the franchise's 11th captain, has spent nine seasons with the Senators after going 18th overall in 2015. He became a full-time NHLer after Ottawa's 2017 playoff run, recording 25 points as a rookie and 55 in his second season.
Ahead of 2019-20, Chabot signed an eight-season contract, the first player to make such a long commitment while the club rebuilt; two years are left. He finished second in the 2021 captain selection. His daughter, Romy, arrived five days before the announcement.
The captaincy change may affect Senators fans, players, and Ottawa-area businesses tied to the team. Chabot’s local ties and long tenure could stabilize a fanbase unsettled by Tkachuk’s departure, while younger leaders like Stutzle and Sanderson may still influence team culture. If the club performs well, the move could strengthen community pride and game-day spending; if not, scrutiny may fall on leadership.