Ottawa Senators fans adore Brady Tkachuk, but his long-term contract situation might be moving faster than they would prefer. Currently in the fifth year of his seven-year deal worth $8.2 million annually, Tkachuk’s contract timeline is often linked to the team’s present Stanley Cup chances. Some speculate he might follow the path of his older brother, Matthew, who three years ago pushed Calgary to trade him after making it clear he wouldn’t re-sign.
Recently, Brady has been the subject of trade rumors, especially from the New York Rangers, as reported by the New York Post in December. However, the Senators firmly denied these claims. Owner Michael Andrauer, at the NHL governor’s meeting in Florida, dismissed the rumors as false, emphasizing that Brady and his wife Emma, now with children, wouldn’t want such distractions. The Rangers also denied any tampering and called the accusations irresponsible.
This ongoing speculation about Tkachuk is expected to persist for the next few years given his high profile.Yet, in a recent interview with ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski, Brady’s father, Keith, shared reassuring thoughts that Ottawa fans will appreciate. Notably, Keith Tokachuk is recently featured on the cover of the EA Sports ‘NHL 26 Deluxe Edition’.
When asked about the New York rumors and Brady’s potential preferences, Keith pointed out that Brady’s situation is quite different from Matthew’s. He advised caution about believing everything heard in the media and noted that after what happened with Matthew in Calgary, people tend to assume the same will happen with Brady in Ottawa.
Keith expressed that Brady genuinely loves living in Ottawa, has become an integral part of the community, and is part of a young and promising team with strong core players. He praised the fans and the city for their positive treatment of Brady, confidently stating, “So I don’t think he’s going anywhere.”
Although Brady hasn’t yet signed an extension and the team cannot officially negotiate with him for another two years, Keith’s comments offer hope for Senators fans. After witnessing departures of key players like Daniel Alfredsson, Erik Karlsson, and Jason Spezza, locals are eager to see Brady remain a crucial part of the franchise rather than following the trend of star players leaving.
Steve Warne
Hockey News Ottawa
Fan Take: This news is significant for hockey fans because Brady Tkachuk is a young star with the potential to shape the future of the Ottawa Senators and perhaps the NHL itself. Keeping such a key player grounded in Ottawa could herald a new era of success for the franchise, giving fans hope for sustained competitiveness and memorable moments ahead.
