Senators coach Travis Green admits he was surprised by Brady Tkachuk trade

Brady Tkachuk being traded from the Ottawa Senators to the Florida Panthers remains the most significant move of the NHL offseason thus far — and head coach Travis Green admitted he didn’t see it coming.

“It was probably about a month after the season, three weeks that [general manager Steve] Staios brought me up to speed, and you asked me if I was surprised? Oh man, a little bit, of course,” the bench boss recently told the 100% Hockey podcast with Daren Millard and John Shannon.

“He was a big part of your team, captain of your team. When I came to Ottawa, I was really excited to coach the team, and for a lot of different reasons, there were a lot of good young players. He was one of them.”

Tkachuk reportedly requested a trade out of Ottawa following the 2025-26 season and gave Staios a list of four teams he was willing to be dealt to. The Panthers were among them, allowing the 26-year-old to join his brother Matthew, who has won two Stanley Cups in Florida.

“To hear that he had asked to be traded, or he was going to be moved at some point, unfortunate is a word I probably will use a lot,” Green continued. “I can’t speak for Brady, but I was a little surprised. Would I say mad? A little bit. But also understanding that players have to make decisions, and you move on, though.”

Green said he did not speak with Tkachuk after the trade request became known but connected with his former captain after the deal was completed. Tkachuk was shipped from Canada’s capital to Sunrise in June.

“At the time, I didn’t talk to Brady till after the trade was done. I just felt like it was best. That was between his agent, Steve, and Brady. But we talked not long after the trade. You have to put business aside and talk as men. I really enjoyed coaching him for two years. We had a good conversation… You wish them luck, and you move on.”

The Senators reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second straight season this spring but were swept by the eventual champion Carolina Hurricanes in Round 1.

Tkachuk later admitted that questions surrounding his long-term commitment to Ottawa had become a distraction. He ultimately landed with a Panthers team that has won two of the past three Stanley Cups.

The Senators received three first-round picks in the trade and flipped one to the San Jose Sharks to acquire young forward William Eklund.

Whether the Senators can keep pace in an increasingly strong Atlantic Division remains to be seen. Ottawa opens the season against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 3 and will welcome Tkachuk back to Canadian Tire Centre on Oct. 21 — setting the stage for an emotional reunion four months after the franchise-altering trade.

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