Hockey fans finally have their answer. Did Brady Tkachuk get traded? Yes — on June 21, 2026, the Florida Panthers acquired the Ottawa Senators captain in one of the biggest trades of the NHL offseason, reuniting Brady with his older brother, Matthew Tkachuk, in Sunrise, Florida.
The deal broke late Sunday evening when TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reported the Panthers were closing in on a trade for Tkachuk, with Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman confirming the full details shortly after. It’s a move that instantly reshapes the Eastern Conference and puts the Panthers back in Stanley Cup contention after missing the 2026 postseason.
Brady Tkachuk Trade Details: What Ottawa Received
According to multiple NHL insiders, the Senators received a significant draft package in exchange for their captain. The full trade breakdown:
To Florida Panthers:
- Brady Tkachuk (LW)
To Ottawa Senators:
- No. 9 overall pick (2026 NHL Draft)
- No. 25 overall pick (2026 NHL Draft)
- 2029 first-round pick
- 2030 second-round pick
That’s three first-round picks and a second-round pick going back to Ottawa, a haul that signals just how much value the Senators were able to extract for their franchise cornerstone. Interestingly, the 25th overall pick included in the deal originally came from the Seattle Kraken as part of Florida’s earlier trade involving Mackie Samoskevich, meaning the Panthers moved quickly across multiple deals to put this package together.
Why the Senators Traded Brady Tkachuk
Tkachuk had long been the subject of trade speculation, even though both he and Senators general manager Steve Staios publicly downplayed the rumors for months. Tkachuk remained one of the biggest names circulating through the NHL rumor mill throughout 2026, and speculation about his future with Ottawa intensified almost immediately after the Senators were swept in the first round by the Carolina Hurricanes.
As recently as late April, Tkachuk pushed back hard on the rumors, calling them a distraction and insisting he’d never asked out of Ottawa. But according to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, the Senators ultimately had conversations with several teams before finalizing the move. LeBrun reported that the Senators also explored deals with Carolina and Vegas, and that Minnesota was on Tkachuk’s list as well — but Brady ultimately wanted to join his brother in Florida, and the Senators made the best of a tough situation.
LeBrun also noted that Ottawa pushed to include Panthers forward Anton Lundell in the trade, but Florida held firm and refused to part with him, viewing him as a top-line center.
Brady Tkachuk Joins Brother Matthew in Florida
The biggest storyline here isn’t just the return — it’s the reunion. Brady and Matthew Tkachuk will now play together for the Florida Panthers, a franchise that has been to three straight Stanley Cup Finals and won back-to-back championships in recent years.
The brothers have already shared the ice internationally. The Tkachuk brothers played together for Team USA, finishing second at the 2025 Four Nations Face-Off before winning Team USA’s first Olympic men’s hockey gold since 1980 in Milano-Cortina this past February. In that Olympic run, Brady appeared in six games, scoring three goals with two assists, while both brothers tied for the team lead with 12 penalty minutes apiece.
Now they’ll skate together at the NHL level for the first time, giving Florida a physical, high-end top-six forward duo that few teams in the league can match.
Brady Tkachuk’s Stats and Contract Details
Here’s a closer look at what the Panthers are getting in their newest winger:
- Age: 26
- Position: Left Wing
- 2025-26 Season Stats: 22 goals and 59 points in 60 games
- Career Stats: 213 goals and 463 points in 572 career games
- Draft Status: Drafted fourth overall by the Senators in 2018
- Contract: Entering the sixth season of a seven-year, $57.5 million contract carrying an annual cap hit of $8.21 million
- Free Agency: Scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2027-28 season
Tkachuk’s playoff performance dipped in his final postseason with Ottawa — he did not record a point in four playoff games as the Senators were eliminated in the first round — but his regular-season production and physical edge make him an immediate upgrade for a Panthers team looking to reclaim its spot among the NHL’s elite.
What This Means for the Panthers’ 2026-27 Season
Florida adds a massive presence to its roster as the team looks to return to Stanley Cup contender status following its absence from the 2026 postseason. Pairing Brady with Matthew gives head coach Paul Maurice one of the most dynamic and physically dominant forward tandems in hockey, and it instantly makes the Panthers one of the favorites heading into next season.
For Ottawa, the return of three first-round picks and a second-rounder gives the Senators a strong foundation to rebuild around captain Tim Stützle and continue developing their young core, even as they say goodbye to a homegrown franchise icon.
FAQ: Brady Tkachuk Trade
Did Brady Tkachuk get traded? Yes. The Ottawa Senators traded Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers on June 21, 2026.
Who did the Panthers give up for Brady Tkachuk? Florida sent Ottawa the No. 9 and No. 25 overall picks in the 2026 NHL Draft, a 2029 first-round pick, and a 2030 second-round pick.
Why did the Senators trade their captain? After months of trade speculation and another early playoff exit, Ottawa ultimately moved Tkachuk, with reports indicating he wanted to join his brother Matthew in Florida.
Will Brady and Matthew Tkachuk play on the same line? That will be up to Panthers head coach Paul Maurice, but pairing the brothers together is widely expected to be part of Florida’s plan.
Is Brady Tkachuk still under contract? Yes. He’s entering year six of a seven-year, $57.5 million deal and is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2027-28 season.
That’s a wrap on the Brady Tkachuk blockbuster — but this Panthers-Senators story is still developing. Drop your reaction in the comments and check back for the latest updates as the 2026 NHL offseason heats up!