The Ottawa Senators are in a tight playoff race, but head coach Travis Green is refusing to let outside noise affect the team.

Recent comments from the Tkachuk family questioning Brady Tkachuk’s usage have drawn attention, yet Green made it clear the focus remains on hockey.

What did Matthew Tkachuk and Keith Tkachuk say about Brady Tkachuk’s usage?

The discussion began after Keith Tkachuk openly questioned his son’s ice time on the “Wingmen” podcast. He pointed to reduced minutes in key games and suggested Brady was not being used enough.

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“You [to Brady] didn’t play that much last game either,” Keith said, and then took a dig at the Senators coach’s usage of Brady. “I just wanted to throw that in there. Why play him a lot, and it’s a – in a big game?”

Matthew Tkachuk added to the debate, noting Brady logged heavier minutes during the Olympics compared to his NHL role.

“Why play him more at the Olympics than a regular season?” Matthew said. “That makes sense.”

Following this, Keith responded, saying, “We’re just carving the coach right now.”

What did Senator’s coach say about Matthew and Keith’s subtle dig?

Speaking after the remarks surfaced, Green brushed off the criticism.

“No, I haven’t,” Green said when asked about talking to Brady about the comments aimed at him. “I haven’t seen it. I heard about it. I know Walt [Keith Tkachuk] really well. He’s a friend. I played with him, knew him [for] a long time. I know he’s outspoken. I’m not sure exactly what he said.”

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Ottawa currently sits with 86 points, still fighting to secure a place in the playoffs. So, then Green stressed that the team will not get distracted while chasing a postseason spot.

“Again, that’s white noise,” Green said. “It doesn’t have any concern of mine or concern of our team.”

Statistically, Brady remains central to Ottawa’s offense. He has recorded over 50 points this season and continues to drive play despite a steady drop in average ice time. His minutes have decreased from over 19 minutes per game two seasons ago to just above 17 this year. So, around two minutes, which is significant.

Green, however, sees no issue and has not discussed the comments directly with Brady, reinforcing that the situation has not impacted the locker room.

Brady Tkachuk won Olympic gold with his brother Matthew Tkachuk

Brady’s recent performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where he helped Team USA win gold, only adds to the debate about his role. He had 3 goals and 2 assists for 5 points with a +7 rating, playing an important role on the team.

Still, Ottawa’s priority remains results on the ice. With only a handful of games left, the Senators are focused on securing points.