Panthers to Acquire Brady Tkachuk From Senators, Trade Mackie Samoskevich to Kraken
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports the Ottawa Senators are close to trading Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers.
Ottawa Senators trade Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers. (NHL Images).
LeBrun believes the Senators will receive three first-round draft picks plus a second-round pick if the deal is finalized.
Earlier in the day, the Panthers traded forward Mackie Samoskevich to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for the No. 25 pick in the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft and a conditional second-round pick in 2027.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports the picks are the No. 9 and 25 selections in this year’s draft, a first-rounder in 2029, and a second-rounder in 2030.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers general manager Bill Zito appeared to be setting the stage for something when he shipped out Samoskevich and got back that first-round pick as part of the return. Considering the Panthers are built to win now, it was apparent that he would use that pick, along with his own first in this year’s draft, as bait to bring in an established top-six forward.
The Senators now have three picks in the first round of this year’s draft, as they also held the 32nd overall selection. It’ll be interesting to see what GM Steve Staios intends to do with them. He’s either preparing for a roster retool or rebuild, or he’ll use them as bait to find a suitable replacement for Tkachuk.
Whatever Staios does, this feels like the end of an era in Ottawa. Tkachuk was the face of the Senators going back to when he was chosen fourth overall in the 2018 Draft. For the past eight seasons, he was their leader, part of the young group of promising players expected to turn the Senators into Stanley Cup contenders.
The Senators made the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, but they were eliminated from the first round both times. Meanwhile, trade rumors dogged Tkachuk throughout those seasons. Despite his denials and those of Staios, the speculation never went away, with a lot of it claiming he’d like to one day join his brother, Matthew, on the Panthers.
So now, the Tkachuk brothers are reunited in Florida at last. Having those two together could boost the Panthers’ hopes of staging another run at the Stanley Cup, provided they avoid another rash of injuries to their core players.
With Brady’s $8.205 million AAV through 2027-28 added to the Panthers’ ledger, PuckPedia indicates they have just over $7 million in projected cap space for next season, with 19 active roster players signed.
That won’t leave enough to re-sign or replace goaltenders Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov, meaning Zito likely isn’t done making moves, either through more trades or free agency.
We knew something was up when he traded Mackie. Zito has guts.
Zito, in my humble opinion, ranks right up there with Nill as the best 2 GMs in the league.
He sees what he wants and is unafraid to pay the price if in his view it improves his team.
Holy Smokes!!!!! Florida doesnt fool around. May as well take Florida off of the one of Larkins destinations. Thing is, Florida still needs a goalie. They may not be done but what have they got left to trade.
Man a few days ago I expressed my belief Ottawa needed more skill in their forward likes to diversify from the grit they currently have. This wasn’t what I had in. Mind. Be interesting to see what Staios plans. Picks in 2029 and 2030.doesnt really speak to me regarding next year’s chances. Ita still 2026 correct?
Ottawa can’t trade that 32nd pick. What’s the plan.
Jeff, as I say elsewhere, I’m more convinced than ever that Cozens moves to RW on that 1st line with Stutzle and that Staios will now move to acquire a term LW with a scoring touch using the # 25 pick and/or the 2029 1st plus to fill behind Tkachuk’s departure.
There are also some pretty good picks at that # 9 spot and that, I think, stays with Ottawa, as well as, of course, the 32nd.
George O namaste
As a Sens fan I can finally say…good hockey player, but I really dislike him.
Good return. Lots of picks and whole bunch of cap space. And him gone.
LOL. Just got home from visiting the wife in long-term care, opened the site to see if there was anything new ,,, and wham!
Well, it wasn’t the Rangers … or St. Louis … but I’ve maintained all along that it would not surprise me to see the brothers united somewhere. And is totally keeping with my philosophy that there should be NO player considered “untouchable” … if, as Bob Barker used to say “the price is right.”
Now there almost has to be at least one more deal in the making to acquire a scoring LW as his departure – if it’s finalized as advertised – will leave them thin on that side (I think Cozens is definitely headed to RW now on that 1st line).
I also believe Staios will hold onto that # 9 pick as this draft goes “good” deep up to about picks 11-12.
Stay tuned.
Given the circumstances, I think Staios did really well.
Plus now they don’t have to deal with an underachieving, overpaid douche bag.
Big win for Ottawa.
Wonder what Ottawa does now?
Those picks have value, keep or move this off season for immediate help?
Still a decent team that is young ish.
Assets and some cap space.
Zacha can play wing or C, 28 yrs old??
Ray, according to most projections any one of these 4 could be available at pick 9
Wyatt Cullen (LW, U.S. NTDP)
Viggo Björck (C, Djurgårdens IF)
Alberts Šmits (LHD, EHC Red Bull München)
Ethan Belchetz (LW, Windsor Spitfires)
That’s 2 at LW where they are a bit thin now with Tkachuk’s departure, but although I believe Staios could draft one at # 9, I also think he’ll pursue another deal to obtain a term LW with a scoring touch, and there the # 25 pick or the 2029 1st could come into play.
George, 25 and 32 can get you a decent player especially a winger. Likely just older with not as much term as Staois would like.
Daxon Rudolph could be there at 9, that kid has big upside, just 2 years away from contributing. Maybe even 3.
Bjorck sounds the most NHL ready, whack of skill.
On the surface 3 firsts and a second is a good return however a first in 29 and the second in 30 says rebuilding to me. Of course Ottawa can still make moves for this year.
Good for Florida although that price would be too much for my liking. Brady will be another player on the Panthers so maybe his habit of bad penalties will improve.
Agree with Potlicker how are they going to get a goalie now.
I’m sure the League will come up with some new Cap rule and they can sign Bobrovsky as a “goalie coach/player” so his money does not go against the Cap or the like.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, and Brady was going NOWHERE ELSE but staying in Ottawa!!!!!!!
Off to a no-tax American franchise, the anti-American Olympian mob chased Brady away!!!
Wow, Bill Zito strikes again!
Don’t be a knob Johnny
Well Ray, Truth can hurt.
But c’mon, who seen this coming!!!
This could be pure genius!!
If everyone stays healthy.
We all make guesses on the future on here, sometimes we’re right, we’re usually wrong.
Act accordingly.
Johnny Z, that is just plain horse-s&^t. No one – and certainly not me – ever said Tkachuk would NEVER be dealt. What I have been relentlessly consistent in saying is, there is NO such thing as an “untouchable” player … and I don’t care who he is. If the price is right and seen as improving your team, as a GM you pull the trigger.
Nor does it matter one iota if the deal is within the same Division. So what?
And with your last sentence are you suggesting that Staios got fleeced in the deal by Zito? If so, your opinion just dropped significant notches in my estimation.
As Nyr fan happy no Brady here…. very good player but slower and would not help the rangers issues
Bob gonna get a surgery and be out til feb??
Florida will skirt ltir rules some more. Always figured Brady would get moved. I hate Florida even more now. Part of me wanted Brady, but a little relieved he’s not going to NY. Definitely think Florida not done. It’s Cup or nothing now. Hope it blows up in their face.
Lundell, Luostaraine, and Rodriguez for Hellybuck
“With Brady’s $8.205 million AAV through 2027-28 added to the Panthers’ ledger, PuckPedia indicates they have just over $7 million in projected cap space for next season, with 19 active roster players signed.”
“That won’t leave enough to re-sign or replace goaltenders Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov, meaning Zito likely isn’t done making moves, either through more trades or free agency.”
Billy Z, yes we are related 😉, moves a rostered player for a starting goalie….. Binnington salary retained, or signs Skinner for $4M AAV, trades for Levi or Cossa, Lyon or signs Talbot or Tarosov for BU.
TheFla. Panthers have become the Easts version of the Las Vegas Knights. Sorry GeorgeO ,all your posts saying Brady was staying in Ottawa ave gone up in space. Not a roster player in return! Doesn t look good for your Sens! Helly the next player to leave Canada. ThatUS gold medal has really stirred it up!
No one else notice it’s American players wanting to play in the US…imagine Canadian players doing the same….that cup drought sure would end.
I just hope regardless of nationality, that players don’t decide what cities will have super teams and which won’t. That will kill the spirit of the game.
My guess is that the Sens will make a big play to sign Tuch on day one of free agency.
Florida will be a tuff out for sure lots of character and ability , if I’m them I sign a goalie for little money and see what deadline brings.
I think the Sens should flip those picks to Dallas and trade for Robertson.
Get more offense out of him than Tkachuk and spend less time killing stupid penalties.
I know Brady wore the C but I never felt he was captain material, not level headed enough and no control of emotions.