Senators Had No Choice But To Trade Brady Tkachuk

The Ottawa Senators sent shockwaves through the NHL by trading captain Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers.

Tkachuk's name has come up in trade rumors for years, but he shot it down, as he committed himself to Ottawa. However, on June 21, the Senators traded him to the Panthers for a package involving three first-round picks and a second-round pick.

9 & 25 this year, first 2029 and a second in 2030 https://t.co/FUiTuJYg8i

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 21, 2026

Ottawa acquired the ninth and 25th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft this weekend, along with a first-round pick in 2029 and a second-round pick in 2030. Although the Senators didn't get a roster player back, Ottawa still got quite a haul for Tkachuk, who joins his brother, Matthew, in Florida.

Although Tkachuk had said he wanted to stay in Ottawa, that wasn't the case. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported that Tkachuk informed the Senators he wouldn't re-sign and gave the team a four-team list to be traded to.

"After further conversations, a list from Tkachuk's camp was submitted before the draft combine to the Senators including four teams: Carolina, Florida, Minnesota and Vegas," Friedman wrote.

"But, according to several sources, it became clear the preference was alongside Matthew in South Florida. Since Brady had a full no-move clause, the Senators ultimately had two choices: hold or make the best deal they could. They chose the latter - really their only option. The debate around Tkachuk's future was a never-ending annoyance in the market and in the dressing room."

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With Tkachuk not committing to Ottawa, the Senators had no choice but to trade him, and they did quite well in return.

Although the Senators are hopeful to compete for a playoff spot, Ottawa can potentially use those draft picks to acquire NHL players right now.

Senators Have Major Question Marks Going Forward

Following the shocking trade between Ottawa and Florida, the Senators have some major question marks going forward.

Ottawa can go down two different paths. One, the Senators try to stay competitive and use those draft picks to trade for proven NHL players.

Or, the second option is one many Senators fans won't want to hear. Ottawa can use those picks and also trade other impact players like Jake Sanderson, Shane Pinto, Drake Batherson, and Tim Stutzle for young top-end prospects and draft picks and begin a rebuild.

With the NHL Draft set for June 26-27 in Buffalo, the Senators will have to make a decision soon. If Ottawa uses the ninth overall pick, it likely could signal the team is looking towards the future. But, in a trade, the ninth overall pick should be able to land a solid NHL player.

So, the decision is now in the Senators' front office hands.

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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 9:12 AM.