‘We did what we felt was best for the long-term future of our club’: Senators’ GM Staios reacts to Tkachuk trade

The hockey world is a little shaken after a deal involving one of the game’s top stars.

On Sunday night, the Ottawa Senators traded captain Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers. The simple fact that Tkachuk and his older brother Matthew will be on the same team every day, the Senators received quite the package in return. Ottawa received both of Florida’s picks in the first round of this year’s draft, the ninth- and 25th-overall selections, a first-round, top-10 protected in 2029 and a second-rounder in 2030.

In a release from the team, general manager Steve Staios stated that the trade wasn’t necessarily something that the organization wanted to do, but it was important to help the Senators for years to come.

“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,” Staios said. “We now possess cap space and draft capital and will be actively working to improve our roster.”

While the trade isn’t a shock to some, the thought of Ottawa’s captain being sent away is still an uneasy sight. The Scottsdale, Ariz. native has been part of the franchise since being taken fourth overall by the Sens in the 2018 draft. He immediately became one of the team’s marquee names, helping the rebuilding team in the nation’s capital go from the bottom of the league to a Stanley Cup Playoff contender. While wearing the ‘C,’ Tkachuk helped Ottawa reach the postseason in each of the past two years, snapping an eight-year drought last season.

Due to injury, Tkachuk hasn’t been able to play close to a full season since the 2023-24 campaign, but has managed to reach 55 points each year. In 572 games with the Sens, the 26-year-old has posted 213 goals and 250 assists for 463 points, with another seven points in 10 playoff contests.

Tkachuk has two more seasons on his seven-year contract that he signed in October 2021, with the deal carrying a cap hit of $8,205,714 through the 2027-28 campaign.