With the start of the 2026-27 NHL regular season less than a week away, the biggest moves of the offseason are back at the forefront, and none have drawn more attention — or will continue to — than Brady Tkachuk’s move to Florida.

It’s been just over three months since the shocking blockbuster sent the former Ottawa Senators captain to the Atlantic Division rival Panthers, and with everyone around the league back together preparing for the season, we’ve been able to hear all the various thoughts and opinions on the situation.

On Tuesday, it was Senators owner Michael Andlauer opening up about trading Tkachuk, and he seems to think that brother Matthew and father Keith had a lot to do with the decision.

Andlauer said in an interview with Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic:

“Blood is thicker than water, and let’s just say that his father and his brother got in his kitchen. Ultimately, the decision was made to go and play with his brother. It’s a decision that was out of our control to a certain degree. But you have to want to play for Ottawa. And right to the end, our fans were behind Brady — even after Team USA won gold. I have no doubt in my mind,”

The 26-year-old Tkachuk was, of course, dealt from Ottawa to Florida for a package of three first-round draft picks, one of which the Senators flipped to acquire William Eklund from the Sharks, along with a second-round pick. He produced 59 points (22 goals, 37 assists) in just 60 games played last season.

Hockey fans won’t have to wait long for Tkachuk’s much-anticipated return to Ottawa, which comes on Wednesday, October 21, less than a month into the new campaign.

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