Keith Tkachuk Sends Blunt Message To Senators
Speaking with The Athletic’s Chris Johnston on Saturday, Keith was asked about the hostile reception Brady got in his first game back in Ottawa as a member of the Florida Panthers.
“Yeah, it was interesting,” Keith said. “Hey, I don’t have any animosity toward anything. It’s still your son. I wish (the Panthers) played better. I was a little more upset at how disappointing they played, and Ottawa played well. They voiced their opinion.”
“Brady’s moved on. We’ve moved on. It’s time Ottawa moves on.”
Ottawa Hasn’t Let It Go
That return came on October 21. Senators fans booed Brady through warmups and his video tribute, chanted at him throughout the night and brought signs aimed at the whole family, including one targeting Keith, as Ottawa rolled to a 5-1 win.
The anger is because of how the split happened.
Brady had publicly committed to Ottawa many times, then asked out this past offseason after the Senators were swept by Carolina in the first round.
He used his no-move clause to steer his way to Florida and join his brother Matthew. It was reported at the time that Florida, Vegas, Carolina and Minnesota were the only four teams he’d accept.
New, for @TheAthletic: Keith Tkachuk says ‘it’s time Ottawa moves on’ after son Brady’s trade to Florida 🔗⬇️ https://t.co/g2xdOtJsPb
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) November 7, 2026
The Senators sent him to the Panthers on June 21 for the 9th and 25th overall picks in the 2026 draft, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-rounder. That gave GM Steve Staios three first-rounders in a draft he’d started with none.
“We started the year with zero first-round picks, and we have three,” Staios said after the deal.
Keith has also been part of the noise. Late last season, he stirred up controversy on his sons’ “Wingmen” podcast by commenting on the Senators’ injuries and Brady’s contract situation.
Players Have More Say Now
Keith also defended the idea of players having a hand in where they play, while admitting it isn’t always pretty.
“Players have a bigger say than they had before and I respect that,” he said. “Players have the right. Teams have the right to trade you, I’ve seen it, I’ve witnessed it. There’s a fine line. Is it ideal? Probably not.”
The comments didn’t land well in Ottawa, with plenty of Senators fans pushing back online and arguing it isn’t his place to tell them how to feel about losing their captain.
The @HockeyHallFame Class of 2026 received their official rings to kick off induction weekend! 💍 https://t.co/NhyuqeKKON
— NHL (@NHL) November 7, 2026
Brady, the fourth overall pick in 2018, had 22 goals and 37 assists in 60 games in his final season in Ottawa, then helped Team USA win Olympic gold alongside Matthew last February.
Keith was officially inducted as part of the Hall of Fame’s class of 2026 after an 18-year NHL career that included 538 goals and 527 assists.
