Story Summary
Brady Tkachuk, recently traded from the Ottawa Senators to the Florida Panthers, said he’s excited to play alongside his brother Matthew and to join a deep, skilled Panthers group focused on returning to the Stanley Cup race. Training camp opens Sept. 17 and the Panthers begin the season on Sept. 29 against the Carolina Hurricanes; Brady also noted he will face his former team in Ottawa on Oct. 21.
Key Facts
- Brady Tkachuk was traded from the Ottawa Senators to the Florida Panthers on June 21, 2026.
- Brady spent eight seasons with the Senators and was captain for the last five seasons.
- In 572 games with Ottawa, Brady had 463 points (213 goals, 250 assists), the most points of any player during his tenure there.
- Brady said he will visit Ottawa to face his former team on Oct. 21, 2026.
- Brady and Matthew Tkachuk will play together for the Panthers; they previously played together for the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025 and at the 2026 Milan Olympics, where Team USA won gold.
- Brady bought a place two minutes from Matthew and said Matthew has given him a ride to the rink five times since Brady started skating about three weeks ago.
- Training camp opens Sept. 17, 2026, and the Panthers open the season at the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes on Sept. 29, 2026 (5 p.m.
- The Panthers reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2023 and won the Stanley Cup in 2024 and 2025.
- Brady said the Panthers missed the playoffs last season mainly due to injury and fatigue and that the team’s focus now is on getting back to where they wanted to be.
- Brady recalled watching Matthew play many times from the stands, including April 6, 2023, when he fought Marc Staal, received a game misconduct and watched the remainder of the game away from cameras.
- Brady emphasised his excitement for the on-ice aspects of joining Florida, saying, “I’m more excited about the on-ice aspects, not just with him but with the group.”
IHM Discussion
Brady Tkachuk’s move to Florida is as much personal as it is professional. The trade reunited him with his brother Matthew, with whom he has recent international experience after playing together for the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025 and at the 2026 Milan Olympics, where Team USA won gold. The transition has moved quickly as he prepares for his first season with Florida.
Why It Matters
Brady arrives at a club that reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2023 and won consecutive Cups in 2024 and 2025. The Panthers missed the playoffs last season, with Brady pointing to injury and fatigue, and he described a group eager to return to where it expected to be. His eight seasons in Ottawa, including five as captain, and his 463 points give Florida added experience and production within a deep, skilled and physical roster. Playing alongside Matthew also gives the brothers the chance to carry their international partnership onto an NHL team.
Mini Q&A
When does Florida’s training camp open?
Training camp opens Sept. 17, 2026.
When do the Panthers open the 2026-27 season?
The Panthers open the season at the Carolina Hurricanes on Sept. 29, 2026 (5 p.m.
When will Brady face his former team in Ottawa?
Brady said he will visit Ottawa to face his former team on Oct. 21, 2026.
How many points did Brady record with the Senators?
Brady had 463 points (213 goals, 250 assists) in 572 games for the Ottawa Senators.
What recent championships have the Panthers won?
The Florida Panthers reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2023 and won the Stanley Cup in 2024 and 2025.
Have the Tkachuk brothers played together before?
Yes. Brady and Matthew played together for the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025 and at the 2026 Milan Olympics, where Team USA won gold.
Coach Mark Comment
Brady brings an established NHL game to a Panthers group he described as deep, skilled and physical. His previous experience alongside Matthew with the United States should make the brother storyline familiar, but Florida’s on-ice combinations and roles will take shape in training camp.
What Comes Next
Training camp opens Sept. 17, 2026. The Panthers open the regular season at the Carolina Hurricanes on Sept. 29, 2026 (5 p.m. Brady said he will return to Ottawa to face his former team on Oct. 21, 2026.
IHM Final View
Brady Tkachuk’s arrival in Florida is more than a headline pairing of brothers. It places him with a club that has recently reached the Final and won at the highest level, while adding his experience and leadership to a Panthers group determined to respond after missing the playoffs. The chance to play alongside Matthew gives the move an added personal dimension, but Brady’s focus is clearly on helping Florida compete for the Stanley Cup.