Senators aren’t rebuilding after Brady Tkachuk trade, says Elliotte Friedman
· Yahoo Sports
The Ottawa Senators stunned the NHL by trading captain Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers, but according to Elliotte Friedman, the move does not signal the start of a rebuild.
The Senators sent Tkachuk to Florida in exchange for the ninth and 25th overall picks in the 2026 NHL Draft, a conditional 2029 first-round pick, and a 2027 second-round selection.
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While losing a captain and franchise face is significant, Friedman believes Ottawa’s decision was driven by long-term roster management rather than a desire to start over. Especially since they have made it to the playoffs in back-to-back years (2025, 2026).
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Speaking on the latest episode of 32 Thoughts, Friedman made it clear that Ottawa’s front office views the franchise as a team still positioned to compete.
“I think this is the thing that I really think Ottawa probably had to weigh, Kyle. They’re in win-now mode,” Friedman said, “Like, this is now Stutzle’s team, and this is now Sanderson’s team. They are your two big tent poles now. Your two biggest cornerstones. And they’re in the primes of their career. And they are in contracts that are going to age beautifully as the cap rises.”
Steve Staios reportedly met with Tkachuk in New Jersey following Ottawa’s playoff exit. The discussion centered on whether the Senators could realistically keep him beyond the expiration of his current contract in 2028.
After getting the answer, which presumably wasn’t a confirmation, per Friedman, “Ottawa was like, we have a choice to make here.”
Friedman believes, “they could have stopped. They could have said, you know what? We’ll keep you next year. And we’ll roll the dice.” But they prioritised getting it done now.
Ottawa’s focus shifts to Stutzle and Sanderson
Ottawa Senators forward Dylan Cozens (24) celebrates with defensemen Jake Sanderson (85), forward Tim Stutzle (18), and forward Drake Batherson (19). Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
It is clear now that Ottawa’s organizational timeline revolves around Tim Stutzle and Jake Sanderson.
“You cannot rebuild now if you’re Ottawa,” Friedman said. “You can’t go into rebuild mode around these two guys in the primes of their career on those contracts. You can’t.”
That logic is difficult to dispute.
Stutzle produced 83 points this season and remains one of the league’s rising offensive stars. Sanderson emerged as Ottawa’s unquestioned No. 1 defenseman with 54 points, while averaging nearly 25 minutes per game.
Both players are signed to long-term contracts (Stutzle on an 8-year, $66.8 million contract and Sanderson on an 8-year, $64.4 million contract) that should become more valuable as the salary cap rises. That gives Ottawa a strong foundation even after moving Tkachuk.
Brady Tkachuk trade rumors became a distraction
Ottawa Senators center Dylan Cozens (24) is congratulated by left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn ImagesFriedman also suggested that the constant speculation surrounding Tkachuk became an issue. He said, “Post-Olympics, it became a problem in the room. And it was constantly a debate in the market that the fans didn’t want and the team didn’t want. Nobody wanted it anymore. Everyone was tired of it.”
Now, the trade’s success will depend on how Ottawa uses the acquired assets. Friedman believes that this is the real evaluation point.
“The true judge of this deal is what they do with these picks,” Friedman said about Ottawa. “It’s not going to be Brady Tkachuk for three firsts and a second. It’s going to be Brady Tkachuk for whatever these picks get you.”
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That outlook explains Ottawa’s strategy. The Senators are not stepping back. They are attempting to reshape their roster around a younger core while remaining competitive in the Eastern Conference.