Tkachuk was on vacation with Brown when he received word that had been invited to replace injured Toronto Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews. “It was cool,” Brown said of Tkachuk’s opportunity to join brother Matthew in what become a Tkachuk love-in. I enjoyed Big Walt’s (Brady’s father, Keith) appearance.”Neither Tkachuk nor fellow Senators All-Star Anthony Duclair took part in Sunday’s practice. Smith was a keen observer as the Belleville Senators swept Utica — Vancouver’s AHL affiliate — with a 5-2 win on Friday and a 4-2 win on Saturday. BIG NAMES AND NUMBERS IN BELLEVILLE: By being recalled to Ottawa, Batherson will not be going to Monday’s AHL All-Star Game in California.

Source: National Post January 27, 2020 03:56 UTC