Following Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley's one-game suspension for roughing Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, the Senators have seemingly taken a high road, focusing on composure and accountability. The incident occurred late in Ottawa's 4-2 victory over the Jets on January 3, 2026, when Stanley punched Tkachuk near the Senators' bench.
During the game, Tkachuk and Stanley were engaged along the boards when Tkachuk appeared to lean into Stanley as officials intervened. As the players separated, Stanley delivered a right-handed punch that caught Tkachuk off guard. The punch did not result in a serious injury, but the NHL Department of Player Safety deemed it a suspendable offense, handing Stanley a one-game suspension for roughing. This marks Stanley's first instance of supplemental discipline in the NHL. Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Stanley will also forfeit $6,510.42.
While some observers, including Senators coach Travis Green, initially expressed outrage, the team has largely moved past the incident. Green stated that "You never like to see a guy get suckered in the face".
Tkachuk himself addressed the situation with notable restraint. "I wasn't happy getting suckered," Tkachuk admitted, adding, "But the league made its decision. I'm over it. It's in the past". Tkachuk also said, “Honestly, I was still watching the play, and then out of the corner of my eye I just see the punch coming,”. “Caught me by surprise. I didn't expect it". Despite being visibly upset after the punch, Tkachuk finished the game with an assist.
Tkachuk also received a 10-minute misconduct penalty following the incident. Some have criticized the referees, with Hockey Night in Canada’s Kevin Bieksa commenting that Tkachuk couldn’t fight because of a thumb injury and that he "gives no indication he is prepared to fight". The Department of Player Safety stated, "At no point in this altercation does Tkachuk show interest in participating in a fight".
The Senators' response reflects a growing maturity within the team. Rather than focusing on retaliation or dwelling on the perceived injustice, the team seems intent on maintaining composure and moving forward. This approach may signal a shift in the Senators' leadership core, with a greater emphasis on accountability and emotional control.
Notably, Tkachuk has recently made NHL history of a different sort, becoming the first player to draw a high-sticking penalty in five consecutive games since the league began tracking the data in 1997-98.
