Ottawa Senators head coach Travis Green assured that Keith Tkachuk's eyebrow-raising comments made on his sons' podcast won't be a distraction for his club as it chases a playoff spot.
During an appearance on Brady and Matthew Tkachuk's "Wingmen" show, Keith said it's "disgusting" that modern NHLers aren't willing to play through minor injuries. The Senators have dealt with several injuries down the stretch, and goaltender Linus Ullmark was in the spotlight recently for needing a rest as a pivotal contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning awaited.
"Do we have some injuries? Yeah, we do. But we've never talked about it, we've never worried about it, and we're not gonna do it now," Green said Thursday. "We're gonna worry about tonight, worry about Buffalo, worry about our teammates - not worry about - no offense - to the white noise and the talk that's outside of our locker room."
Green was then asked if he talked to Brady about the podcast.
"No, I haven't," Green said. "I haven't seen it. I heard about it. I know Walt (Keith) really well. He's a friend. I played with him, known him a long time. I know he's outspoken. I'm not sure exactly what he said. But again, that's white noise. It doesn't have any concern of mine or concern of our team."
The Tkachuk brothers became the first active NHL players to launch a podcast earlier this season.
The Senators are two points back of a playoff spot with eight games remaining. Ottawa snapped a seven-year postseason drought last year but lost in the first round.