OTTAWA — Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer says family ties drove Brady Tkachuk's exit, trading his longtime captain to the Florida Panthers this off-season for four draft picks, including three first-rounders. The deal closed an eight-season run in Ottawa that unraveled after trade rumours surfaced in late April following a Round 1 sweep by the Carolina Hurricanes.
Andlauer told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun that Tkachuk waived his no-trade clause to play with his brother. "Blood is thicker than water, and let's just say that his father and his brother got in his kitchen," Andlauer said, referring to 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."
Brady and Matthew teamed up at the 2026 Olympics in Italy to help the United States beat Canada in the gold-medal game. Tkachuk, who had two seasons left on the seven-year, $57.56-million contract he signed in October 2021, has said on the brothers' "Wingemen" podcast the decision "wasn't about" his brother. Ottawa's captain for the last five seasons, Tkachuk was acquired with the No. 4 pick in the 2018 draft and led the club during his tenure in goals (213), points (463), power-play goals (62), shots (2,202), hits (1,921), winning goals (28), multi-goal games (30) and penalty minutes (821).
"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 told The Athletic. "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."
After the trade, Ottawa locked up Drake Batherson on an eight-year extension, the largest deal in team history. Andlauer said the commitment signals culture and intent to win. "We've created that culture, and the commitment that we made with Drake sends a strong signal to our fans and to our players that we want to win," Andlauer said. "I know our fans have had a tough history when you think of Erik Karlsson and Mark Stone (also being traded), and hopefully the Batherson signing sends a clear message." He noted Batherson has been with the organization for nine years as the second-longest-serving Senator and that Claude Giroux also chose to re-sign, adding, "We have a really great core. The energy that I've experienced in this training camp, and I've seen it with our players, and the excitement, to me, is great news for our fans."