Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer didn’t hold back explaining why former captain Brady Tkachuk wanted out of Canada’s capital.
According to Andlauer, direct influence from Tkachuk’s father and brother, Keith and Matthew, was the turning point in Brady’s decision to request a trade.
Tkachuk wanted out before the start of free agency and used his full no-movement clause to steer his destination to the Florida Panthers, where he was ultimately traded in June.
Speaking with The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, Andlauer made it clear he believes Keith and Matthew influenced Brady’s decision.
“Blood is thicker than water, and let’s just say that his father and his brother got in his kitchen,” Andlauer said.
Added Andlauer: “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.”
Tkachuk has denied that joining his brother Matthew was the lone reason he requested a trade.
“I made this decision taking you [Matthew] out of it. It wasn’t about you,” Brady said. “You know how much I love you, but every single time after playing you guys, I was like, ‘Holy cow, that team is incredible and they have a chance to win every single year.'”
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The Senators selected Tkachuk with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, and he became a central figure of the franchise before requesting a move.
Tkachuk left Ottawa ranked top-10 in games played, goals, assists and total points, among many other statistical categories.
The Senators open the regular season against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 3 before Tkachuk returns to Ottawa with Florida on Oct. 21.
