If Ottawa continues to underachieve, though, the questions will persist. The no-movement clause in Tkachuk’s contract kicks in on July 1, and it’s ultimately on the Senators to build a team that will prove Tkachuk right in committing and reaffirming his loyalty to the franchise.

Getting a bruising forward like Tkachuk would absolutely be a whopper of a deal. But Sens VP of communications Ian Mendes had a very funny response, posting a picture of the synonyms for “whopper,” very much implying that it was an “untruth.”

Tkachuk revealed that Senators general manager Steve Staios had personally reassured him there was no validity to the rumors, which the player said "didn't even see" when they popped up following a report by Larry Brooks of the New York Post.

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk has shot down trade rumors linking him to the New York Rangers, calling the speculation unfounded and untrue. The rumors, originally reported by the New York Post,

Rumors about Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk were quickly addressed over the weekend while questions about Jacob Trouba's future with the Ducks arose.

Josh Norris has long been considered a key piece of the Ottawa Senators’ core, but in the midst of another difficult season in Canada’s capital, the center could be on the trade block ahead of the March 7 deadline.

Are teams in the NHL interested in Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk? Sure, why wouldn’t they be? From the way he plays to the leadership qualities he brings on the ice, but that does not mean he is available.