Brady Tkachuk's homecoming sets tone for NHL's 84-game schedule

The NHL released its 2026-27 schedule with one storyline already written in stone - Brady Tkachuk's return to Ottawa on October 21st, a date that will carry serious emotional weight for Senators fans and the star forward alike. This isn't just another game on the calendar; it's the kind of narrative that defines a season before the puck even drops. The league knows exactly what it's doing by highlighting this matchup, and every team's schedule now has context that goes beyond wins and losses.