Brady Tkachuk has taken a big step in the right direction in his recovery.

The Ottawa Senators captain, who had surgery four weeks ago to repair a torn ligament in his thumb he suffered on Oct. 14 against the Nashville Predators, returned to the ice at the Canadian Tire Centre on Friday to take part in an optional skate.

Tkachuk was only given the green light to start handling and shooting the puck this week. He will be checked out early next week by New York surgeon Robert Hotchkiss to make sure everything is on track and will be on the club’s seven-day trip that starts next Wednesday in Anaheim.

Coach Travis Green told reporters the Senators are hopeful that Tkachuk will be able to play in approximately two weeks.

“He’s come along well, but he’s probably a couple of weeks at least,”

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