OTTAWA, June 22, 2026 – Ottawa Senators president of hockey operations and general manager Steve Staios announced on Sunday that the club has traded star American forward Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers in exchange for three first-round draft picks and a second-rounder.
The Senators have obtained the ninth overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft, as well as the 25th overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft (Tampa Bay’s original selection, previously acquired from Seattle by Florida). Ottawa also receives Florida’s second-round selection in 2027 and its 2029 first-round pick (conditional).
“This was not a decision we took lightly, but ultimately we did what we felt was best for the long-term future of our hockey club,” said Staios. “We now possess cap space and draft capital and will be actively working to improve our roster.”
A first-round pick (fourth overall) in the 2018 NHL Draft, Tkachuk who played 572 games with the Senators will now reunite with his brother Matthew. He scored 213 goals and recorded 250 assists for 463 points, in addition to spending 821 minutes in the penalty box. He also played in all 10 of Ottawa’s playoff games over the past two seasons and has been an integral force for the Senators throughout his tenure with the club.
Meanwhile, the strong keep getting stronger, as a healthy Panthers team for 2027 has sent a blaring signal that they will be a force in the upcoming season and a bonafide Stanley Cup contender on the heels of their 2024 and 2026 championships. If fact, they still would have challenged the likes of Carolina and Montreal for Eastern Conference glory had it not been for major injuries to star players.
This trade continues a growing trend towards players making trade demands to join teams of their choosing. According to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reports in The Athletic, Brady had made it clear he would not be re-signing with Ottawa in two years and presented the Senators a list of four contending teams he would be interested in joining – the Panthers (obviously), in addition to the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights and recently crowned Stanley Cup Champion, Carolina Hurricanes. (Essentially all teams who could make a run for the cup in 2027).
What does this all mean for Ottawa? Well, it means a team that was on the rise may take a step back next season with an eye to a promising future OR they could turn these picks into addressing the void left behind by Tkachuk, and then some. One thing for certain, with the draft rapidly approaching (June 26) along with free agent frenzy starting on July 1, the Sens fans will be glued to NHL trade rumours and reports over the next several weeks.
Let’s hope Staios and his crew will turn this setback into a massive surge forward for our Sens!
lead photo supplied by Ottawa Senators
