NHL Trade Rumors: Is Brady Tkachuk staying loyal to the Senators—or setting up a surprise exit?
As the
Ottawa Senators
wrapped up a season of redemption by returning to the playoffs for the first time in eight years, star forward
Brady Tkachuk
found himself having to address persistent trade rumors linking him to the
New York Rangers
.
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The speculation, which began early in the 2024–25 NHL season, resurfaced during exit interviews. This time, Tkachuk didn't hold back.
Brady Tkachuk shuts down Rangers trade rumors
When asked about the reports suggesting he could be dealt to New York, Tkachuk was emphatic: 'Obviously it's a lie,' he said. 'All those articles, stories … It's just not true. But I think it's on me if I let that bother me or take me off what I'm trying to do. Everyone knows that I'll do whatever it takes to win.'
His loyalty to the Senators organization and its fans was crystal clear. Tkachuk emphasized his passion for the city and his belief in the team's trajectory: 'Seeing this fan base, this excitement, see how much they rallied around us, everybody's waiting for it. Everybody wants to accomplish the same thing and win the
Stanley Cup
.'
Rangers deny tampering after owner's accusation
The rumors gained momentum in December after Larry Brooks of the New York Post reported that the Rangers had made Tkachuk their top trade priority.
This prompted a swift response from Senators GM Steve Staios, who publicly dismissed the speculation. Ottawa owner Michael Andlauer took things further, accusing the Rangers of 'soft tampering.'
The Rangers strongly denied any wrongdoing. 'This is an irresponsible accusation, and we defer to the commissioner's office,' a team spokesperson stated in response.
While Ottawa finally broke through to end their playoff drought, the Rangers spiraled in the opposite direction.
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Despite entering the season with high expectations after winning the Presidents' Trophy the year prior, they failed to secure a postseason spot—an outcome widely considered a major disappointment.
Also Read:
Though Brady Tkachuk appears off-limits, Rangers president and GM Chris Drury will be under pressure to shake things up this offseason. Meanwhile, the Senators can now focus on building around their captain without the distraction of baseless trade chatter.
Tkachuk's message was clear: he's committed to the Senators' vision, and no rumor mill is going to change that.
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