As of this writing, only three restricted free agents remain unsigned as training camps open. One of them is Brady Tkachuk, the former fourth overall pick and alternate captain of the Ottawa Senators who has led his team in scoring for the past two seasons and figures to be the face of the franchise moving forward. 

Tkachuk has emerged as a favourite among both Sens fans and fantasy hockey enthusiasts thanks to his mix of physicality, shots, penalty minutes, and occasionally goal-scoring, and the intangible factor looks like it might elevate his contract well above what one might expect based on his counting stats.

But how valuable is Tkachuk on the ice, and does he project to be a star player moving forward? Is he somebody the Senators should count on to be their franchise forward or a complementary player miscast on a talent-starved rebuilder? Is he Jarome Iginla, or is he Darcy Tucker?

Tkachuk’s status as a big fish in a small pond has put him in line for a humongous payday. Players with his statistical profile don’t often find themselves in line for eight-year, $8-million per year extensions — his projected contract is six years at $6.4-million AAV, per EvolvingHockey — and yet Tkachuk has reportedly turned down such an offer from the Senators.