Austin Konenski
Brady Tkachuk has been in NHL trade rumors with the Ottawa Senators. After another disappointing Stanley Cup Playoffs, Tkachuk’s future has been in question as Ottawa looks to improve heading into the 2026-27 NHL season. However, could the 26-year-old captain request a trade if he doesn’t see what he wants from the Senators this offseason?
This seems like a possibility, so what would it actually take for Tkachuk to be traded to the Florida Panthers? Here is what needs to happen for Florida.
Brady Tkachuk must request a trade from the Ottawa Senators
It all starts with Tkachuk. As of now, the Ottawa forward has publicly dismissed the trade rumors, but it doesn’t mean things won’t change moving forward. For the Panthers to have a chance at acquiring Tkachuk this offseason, he must request a trade. At that point, he can control the market.
Tkachuk has a full no-move clause in his contract, meaning he has to approve a trade out of Ottawa. Even if an NHL organization wants to acquire Tkachuk, he could deny the move. This has become a common theme across NHL trade deadlines, as players earn the right to use the clause.
Needless to say, this wouldn’t be a concern for Florida. Tkachuk’s brother, Matthew, plays for the Panthers, and the family has a good relationship with the organization. If Tkachuk wanted to play with the Panthers, he could even tell the Senators that a trade is “Florida, and only Florida.”
First, Tkachuk has to request a trade, and to this point, it hasn’t happened. However, if the 26-year-old forward makes the decision, the Panthers have to be ready to pounce.
Florida Panthers have to go all-in on trading for Tkachuk
The Panthers have to go all-in on trading for Tkachuk if he asks out of Ottawa. Florida is in its championship window, meaning it can afford to trade first-round picks and young prospects to land NHL stars. Tkachuk would qualify as a star and give the Panthers an elite, hard-hitting forward going into the future.
Therefore, the Panthers could trade multiple first-round picks and young players to pry Tkachuk out of Ottawa. Even if the Senators don’t have as much leverage in this scenario, Florida can’t afford to miss out on the opportunity. The NHL organization would have to go all-in on making Tkachuk a Panther.
Even if Tkachuk doesn’t come to Florida by a trade, there is a possibility that he signs in Florida instead. The Senators forward has two seasons left on his contract, which is the same as Quinn Hughes when he went through his trade process with the Vancouver Canucks. It ultimately worked out for both sides.
More likely than not, the Panthers would be the top destination for Tkachuk by far. There is a case for the St. Louis Blues, but they can’t offer Tkachuk an opportunity to play with his brother. Just like Hughes, this is the dilemma that the Minnesota Wild are facing with a possible contract extension.
Tkachuk would have to formally request a trade from Ottawa, but Florida can make this move happen if he pulls the trigger.
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