Austin Konenski
Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk has been in NHL trade rumors for a while and that won’t be stopping soon. After Ottawa was swept by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Tkachuk’s future is a major topic of conversation. Is the 26-year-old leaving Ottawa? An NHL insider has dropped a major update on the situation.
David Pagnotta would be a “little bit surprised” if Tkachuk was still a Senator for the 2026-27 NHL season, as said by the insider on Hello Hockey. Since the Ottawa captain has a no-movement clause, he would have to approve any trade this summer. This means Tkachuk could essentially force his way to a specific organization.
Tkachuk has two years left on his contract and the easiest connection is Florida Panthers in a potential trade or future signing. Tkachuk’s brother, Matthew, plays for the Panthers, and would be an excellent addition to the organization. After missing the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Florida could use a boost in its lineup.
However, this specific situation requires both Tkachuk and Ottawa to work together. If the 26-year-old forward doesn’t plan to extend his contract, the Senators would be incentivized to move him now. Ultimately, it depends on whether Tkachuk wants to stay with the organization going into the future.
Tkachuk struggled in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, earning zero points in the four-game sweep. The Ottawa captain didn’t live up to the standards after entering the playoffs with a lot of momentum. Now, Tkachuk’s future might be the dark cloud over the Senators’ upcoming NHL offseason.
Tkachuk is under contract for two more seasons, but it might be best for both sides to find a new situation moving forward.
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