Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer still speaks highly of Brady Tkachuk. But three months after the former captain was traded to the Florida Panthers, Andlauer has made clear how difficult the departure was for the organization.
Speaking to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, Andlauer suggested that Tkachuk’s family influenced his decision to leave Ottawa. It was a pointed assessment of a trade that sent the face of the Senators to Florida, where he will play alongside his brother Matthew.
Andlauer Points to Family Influence
“Blood is thicker than water, and let’s just say that his father and his brother got in his kitchen,” Andlauer said, referring to Keith and Matthew Tkachuk.
Andlauer believes the chance to join Matthew ultimately shaped Brady’s choice. Tkachuk, however, has said that his trade request “wasn’t about” his brother. That distinction matters: Andlauer offered his view of what happened, while Tkachuk has given a different account of his motivation.
Tkachuk had a full no-movement clause and requested a trade after the season. Once he wanted to leave, Ottawa’s options were limited by where he was willing to go. Andlauer’s remarks suggest the club felt it could no longer persuade its captain to stay.
Ottawa Loses More Than a Captain
Andlauer’s frustration did not erase his appreciation for Tkachuk’s eight seasons with the Senators. He called him “an exemplary captain for us and leader and role model” and praised the work Tkachuk and his wife, Emma, did in the community.
That is why the trade carries weight beyond the lineup. Tkachuk had been Ottawa’s captain since the 2021-22 season and was central to the team’s identity. His physical play, scoring and connection with fans made him a difficult player to replace with any single acquisition. Ottawa now has to find new leaders in the dressing room while replacing his production on the ice.
What the Senators Got in Return
Florida acquired Tkachuk on June 21. Ottawa received the Nos. 9 and 25 picks in the 2026 NHL Draft, a conditional first-round pick in 2029 and a second-round pick in 2027. The Senators later used the No. 9 pick in a trade with San Jose that brought in William Eklund, Kasper Halttunen and Brandon Svoboda.
Those moves give Ottawa pieces for both the present and future, but they do not settle the question raised by Andlauer’s comments: how does a team move forward after its captain asks to leave?
For Andlauer, the answer starts with commitment. He can recognize what Tkachuk gave Ottawa and still be disappointed that he chose another path. The Senators’ next season will show how well they can turn that difficult exit into a new direction.
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