With the fourth overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, the Ottawa Senators
selected Brady Tkachuk from Boston University. The son of NHL legend Keith and
brother of the Calgary Flames'; Matthew, the youngest Tkachuk has an extremely
difficult decision to make this offseason. Tkachuk can choose to head back to
BU or try to make the jump straight to the NHL next season, and that may just
depend on how the rest of the offseason goes for the Senators.

Tkachuk is in an interesting position, able to play for BU, the OHL';s London
Knights, the Belleville Senators in the AHL or possibly for Ottawa. Drafting
Tkachuk puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the young player, more than the
 average fourth overall pick. On top of needing to show he';s worth the high
selection and better than those who were drafted after him, the Senators will
need the left winger will need to be better than whoever the Colorado Avalanche
 choose next season in order to avoid even more organizational criticism.Brady
Tkachuk has a difficult decision ahead of him this summer (Photo by Kevin
Hoffman/Getty Images)

In the Matt Duchene trade, Ottawa sent a conditional first-round pick to the
Colorado Avalanche. The condition was that the Sens could choose to keep this
year';s first-rounder and send next year';s to the Avs or trade this year';s
pick and hold out for the 2019 draft. It looks like chances are high for the
Senators to finish near the bottom of the standings this year and have a chance
 for the coveted first pick, expected to be Jack Hughes. Ottawa chose Brady
Tkachuk, giving the Avalanche their potentially high pick next year.

It will be years before the Senators will know if this decision was the right
one. For now, Brady Tkachuk has his own decision to make on where his career
goes from here.Why Tkachuk Might Stay at Boston University

During his freshman year at Boston University last season, Tkachuk had to
adjust to competing against players up to five years older than him. He handled
 it well, putting up 31 points with a plus-15 rating over 40 games. He was
named to the NCAA All-Rookie Team and helped Boston to the NCAA (Hockey East)
Championship.Related: Senators Pick Brady Tkachuk #4 Overall

While speaking with reporters, Tkachuk said, "It was a tough start. I
definitely became a more well-rounded player. I focused more on my defensive
play and how good defense leads to good offense. I felt I was getting stronger
over the year."It';s very possible that Brady Tkachuk could head back to Boston
 University next year. (Rich Gagnon/Boston University)

If making the jump to the NHL next year, Tkachuk would need to adjust again-not
 only to playing against much tougher competition, but going from 40 games to
82 in a season. It';s likely that both the Senators and Tkachuk will want him
to have a year or two where he';s comfortable and succeeding before needing to
adapt to a different league in back-to-back years.

It was believed before the draft that Tkachuk was leaning towards spending
another year with Boston University. If it';s looking like he won';t have a
chance to play for the Senators with some serious minutes, it';s likely that he
 will return to BU rather than play in the OHL or AHL. However, if Ottawa can
offer him a secure role on the team while playing serious minutes, the decision
 may become easier for Tkachuk. He may simply wish to finish his education
before making the jump into professional hockey.

There has already been a dialogue between Tkachuk and the Senators, but he has
made it clear that he won';t be rushed into a decision.

"(The Senators) have told me what they want to do, but, at the end of the day,
that's for both parties to see what's best long term," he said to Ottawa Sun
reporter Ken Warren. "It's my decision, but I have a great support group with
my dad, mom, brother, and sister. It's a family decision because they all know
what's best for me."

"I'm going to take my time and soak it all in, there's no real timetable."Why
Tkachuk Might Make the Jump to the NHL

At 6-foot-3 and 196 pounds, Tkachuk has the size to play in the NHL. He has
international experience and knows what it takes to win after winning the
Hockey East Tournament championship with Boston University, and has gold and
bronze medals with Team USA from World Junior Championships the past two years.
 His brother, Matthew made the jump straight to the NHL after being drafted in
2016 and will be a strong influence in the younger Tkachuk';s decision.

It';s no secret that the Senators are going through changes in the
organization. The biggest change may still be to come with the potential Erik
Karlsson trade looming. If Ottawa parts ways with its captain, it';s likely
that a rebuild will follow. That may be a sign that Tkachuk could be a factor
on this team next season. If Tkachuk is content with losing for a couple
seasons to get the NHL speed under his belt, he could test his luck with the
team.The Mike Hoffman trade may leave a hole in the lineup for Tkachuk. (Kim
Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

The players that Ottawa has already parted ways with, and those that may
follow, make sense for Tkachuk to jump to the NHL now as well. Mike Hoffman has
 been traded to the Florida Panthers and Alex Burrows has retired. Matt Duchene
 and Bobby Ryan are involved in the many trade rumors surrounding the team.
There may be many holes in the Senators lineup next season, and Tkachuk has the
 skill to fill one of those positions.

As mentioned above, Tkachuk has said he';s in no rush to make his decision.
It';s likely that he will let the summer play out and see how the team is
looking closer to the season. A good sign for Sens fans who can';t wait to see
their newest first-round pick play is the recent news that he has started
training with fitness guru, Gary Roberts. Also, at the Senators'; 3-on-3
prospect tournament this month, Tkachuk was awarded the Jonathan Pitre Award as
 the hardest working player, along with Parker Kelly. The winger is looking
very promising in the early stages of his NHL journey.

The Brady Tkachuk era is coming to Ottawa. For now, it';s just a question of
when.

The post Senators'; Tkachuk Has a Tough Decision appeared first on The Hockey
Writers.

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