The Florida Panthers completed a major trade Sunday night, acquiring forward Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for four draft picks. The deal reunites Brady with his brother Matthew Tkachuk, who has won two Stanley Cups during his four seasons in Florida.
The trade ends Brady Tkachuk’s eight-year career with Ottawa, where he served as team captain for five seasons and established himself as one of the most physical forwards in the NHL. He has two seasons remaining on his seven-year, $57.56 million contract signed in October 2021.
Trade Details and Draft Capital
Florida sent substantial draft capital to Ottawa to secure the veteran forward. The package includes the No. 9 pick in the 2026 draft, Tampa Bay’s first-round pick this year, the Panthers’ second-round pick in 2027, and their top-10-protected first-round pick in 2029.
The acquisition allows Florida to add an elite talent while retaining all of its top seven scorers from the past season, including Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, Carter Verhaeghe, Gustav Forsling, and Anton Lundell.
Bill Zito, Florida Panthers hockey operations president and general manager, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition.
“Brady is a dynamic competitor and one of the most physical and relentless forwards in the league. A proven leader and exactly the type of player we want in our locker room, he strives to make everyone around him better both on and off the ice. We’re thrilled to welcome Brady to South Florida to join our group as we continue our pursuit of championship hockey,” Zito said.
Ottawa Senators Build for Future
Steve Staios, Ottawa Senators general manager, addressed the significant trade that sends away the franchise captain.
“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. We now possess cap space and draft capital and will be actively working to improve our roster,” Staios said.
Brady Tkachuk was drafted No. 4 overall in 2018 and became one of the most productive players in Senators franchise history. During his time in Ottawa, he recorded 213 goals, 463 points, 62 power-play goals, and 28 winning goals. He also accumulated 2,202 shots, 1,921 hits, 30 multigoal games, and 821 penalty minutes.
Brothers Reunited After Olympic Gold
The Tkachuk brothers have recent experience playing together on the international stage. They competed side by side for USA Hockey at the 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025, where they won silver, and at the Milan Cortina Olympics in 2026, where they captured gold.
The United States men’s hockey team won their first Olympic gold medal since the historic 1980 Lake Placid victory, ending a 46-year drought. The brothers played key roles in that achievement.
Matthew Tkachuk has established himself as one of the premier players in the NHL during his four seasons with Florida. He has won two Stanley Cups and reached the Stanley Cup Final three times with the Panthers.
The Tkachuk family has deep hockey roots. Their father is NHL legend Keith Tkachuk, and the family maintains a home in Florida.
What We Know So Far
The trade was finalized Sunday night, June 21, 2026. Brady Tkachuk will join a Panthers roster that has demonstrated championship-caliber performance under his brother’s tenure. Florida has reached the Stanley Cup Final three times in Matthew’s four seasons with the team, winning twice.
The Athletic was first to report the pending trade before its official announcement. In a related transaction, the Panthers traded Mackie Samoskevich from Florida to Seattle.
Brady Tkachuk brings a proven track record as both a scorer and physical presence. His career statistics with Ottawa demonstrate consistent production across eight seasons in the league.
What Happens Next
Ottawa now holds significant draft capital and cap space to reshape their roster. The four picks acquired from Florida, including two first-round selections, provide the Senators with resources to build for the future.
For Florida, the addition of Brady Tkachuk strengthens an already potent roster that retained all of its top offensive players. The Panthers continue their pursuit of championship hockey with both Tkachuk brothers now in the fold.
Brady Tkachuk Career Statistics
During his eight seasons with Ottawa, Brady Tkachuk established himself as a franchise cornerstone. His 213 goals rank him among the top scorers in Senators history. He recorded 463 total points during his tenure.
His physical play defined his style, accumulating 1,921 hits and 821 penalty minutes. He took 2,202 shots throughout his Ottawa career and scored 62 power-play goals.
Tkachuk recorded 30 multigoal games and 28 game-winning goals during his time with the Senators. He served as team captain for five of his eight seasons, taking on the role when he signed his contract in October 2021.
Florida Panthers Roster Strength
The Panthers enter the next season with remarkable roster continuity combined with a significant addition. Their top seven scorers from the past season remain with the team: Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, Carter Verhaeghe, Gustav Forsling, and Anton Lundell.
Adding Brady Tkachuk to this group creates additional depth and physicality for a team that has demonstrated sustained excellence under Matthew Tkachuk’s tenure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Panthers trade for Brady Tkachuk?
Florida sent four draft picks to Ottawa: the No. 9 pick in the 2026 draft, Tampa Bay’s first-round pick this year, the Panthers’ second-round pick in 2027, and their top-10-protected first-round pick in 2029.
How long was Brady Tkachuk with the Ottawa Senators?
Brady Tkachuk spent eight years with the Ottawa Senators after being drafted No. 4 overall in 2018. He served as team captain for five seasons, starting in October 2021.
What is left on Brady Tkachuk’s contract?
Brady Tkachuk has two seasons remaining on his seven-year, $57.56 million contract that he signed in October 2021.
Have the Tkachuk brothers played together before?
Yes, Brady and Matthew Tkachuk played together for USA Hockey at the 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025, where they won silver, and at the Milan Cortina Olympics in 2026, where they won gold. The 2026 Olympic victory was the first U.S. men’s hockey gold since Lake Placid in 1980.
How many Stanley Cups has Matthew Tkachuk won?
Matthew Tkachuk has won two Stanley Cups during his four seasons with the Florida Panthers. He has also reached the Stanley Cup Final three times with the team.
The trade marks a significant moment for both franchises and the Tkachuk family. Ottawa begins a rebuilding process with substantial draft capital, while Florida adds a proven scorer and physical presence to an already championship-caliber roster. The brothers will now compete together at the NHL level after their successful international partnership yielded Olympic gold for the United States.
