Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer broke his silence on the departure of former captain Brady Tkachuk, saying his brother Matthew and father Keith had urged him to request a trade to join the Florida Panthers.
The Florida Panthers might have been happy to welcome Brady Tkachuk into the organization, but fans across the NHL haven't been happy with his actions.
Unsurprisingly, the Ottawa Senators haven't been thrilled with how it all played out, and for good reason. They felt their captain, their franchise player, turned their back on them and quit on the team.
Several former teammates of Tkachuk have commented on his departure. Some have had choice words, while others remained neutral.
The latest comments come from the Senators' owner, Michael Andlauer, who recently spoke with The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.
“Blood is thicker than water, and let’s just say that his father and his brother got in his kitchen,” Andlauer told LeBrun of Brady's brother Matthew and father Keith. “Ultimately, the decision was made to go and play with his brother. It’s a decision that was out of our control to a certain degree. But you have to want to play for Ottawa. And right to the end, our fans were behind Brady — even after Team USA won gold. I have no doubt in my mind.”
There was always concern among the Senators organization that this could happen. The team made the playoffs just twice during Tkachuk's tenure and won only two games in the process. The Senators fans' reaction to some of the choices Tkachuk made after winning the gold medal for Team USA at the Olympics kept the tension boiling over.
Reports indicated that his teammates grew tired and frustrated with the podcast Brady and Matthew co-host. All of this culminated in a trade request and a desire to join his brother with the Panthers.
Tkachuk was granted his wish, much to the Senators' chagrin, and now he'll have to face the backlash that comes with it.
But Andlauer didn't only have bad things to say about the organization's 2018 fourth overall pick.
“In his eight years with the Ottawa Senators, and during his time as captain, he was an exemplary captain for us and leader and role model,” Andlauer said. “He cared about the community. He and his wife, Emma, did more than any other player. The Boys and Girls Club — he cared deeply. And the fans knew it. Our fans are loyal and they’re intelligent. And they loved Brady.”
Tension between the Senators and Panthers has been high in the past, with numerous games featuring fights and scrummages. Now, with the added element of Tkachuk joining their bitter rivals, the animosity is only growing.
The Panthers will challenge the Senators for the first time in the 2026-27 NHL regular season on Oct. 21 in Ottawa.
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