Who is Brady Tkachuk? 26-year-old forward to join brother Matthew at Panthers in blockbuster deal with Senators

Brady Tkachuk is set for a new chapter in his NHL career after the Ottawa Senators agreed to trade their captain to the Florida Panthers in one of the league's biggest offseason moves. The deal reunites Brady with his older brother Matthew Tkachuk, creating one of hockey’s most high-profile sibling pairings. Florida acquired the 26-year-old forward in exchange for a substantial package that includes two first-round selections in this year's NHL Draft - the ninth and 25th overall picks - as well as a top-10 protected first-round choice in 2029 and a second-round selection in 2027.

The Panthers obtained the 25th overall pick earlier in the day through a separate trade involving forward Mackie Samoskevich and the Seattle Kraken. For the Panthers, the move adds another elite power forward to a team already loaded with talent. Brady has earned a reputation throughout the league for his aggressive style, leadership qualities and ability to contribute offensively. His arrival gives Florida additional toughness and scoring depth while also creating a unique family storyline.



"Brady is a dynamic competitor and one of the most physical and relentless forwards in the league," Panthers hockey operations president and general manager Bill Zito said.

"A proven leader and exactly the type of player we want in our locker room, he strives to make everyone around him better both on and off the ice. We’re thrilled to welcome Brady to South Florida to join our group as we continue our pursuit of championship hockey."

Selected fourth overall by Ottawa in the 2018 NHL Draft, Tkachuk quickly became a central figure in the Senators’ rebuilding plans. He spent eight seasons with the organization and wore the captain's armband during the past five seasons, becoming one of the faces of the franchise.

Last season, Tkachuk registered 22 goals and 37 assists in 60 games. Ottawa reached the playoffs for a second consecutive season, though the team's postseason run ended quickly after being swept in the opening round by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes. Tkachuk did not record a point during the series. Across his NHL career, the three-time All-Star has accumulated 213 goals and 250 assists in 572 regular-season appearances while also adding seven points in 10 playoff games.


With two years remaining on his contract carrying an annual cap hit of $8.2 million, Florida secures more than a short-term addition. The Panthers now bring together two brothers who have already enjoyed success representing the United States internationally and will finally get the opportunity to play together full-time at the NHL level.

Before beginning his NHL career, Tkachuk spent the 2017–18 season at Boston University, where he made an immediate impact during his freshman year. Playing for the Terriers in the NCAA, he appeared in 40 games and led the team in assists with 23, finishing the season with 31 total points through eight goals and 23 assists.

Prior to college hockey, Tkachuk developed through the United States National Team Development Program, spending two seasons with its U17 and U18 squads from 2015 to 2017. His time in the program helped establish him as one of the country’s top young prospects ahead of his move to the collegiate level.


Internationally, Tkachuk has also enjoyed success while representing the United States. Most recently, he played a key role in helping Team USA secure a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, contributing five points with three goals and two assists across six games.

His international resume also includes gold at the 2016 IIHF Under-18 World Championship, where he served as team captain and produced seven points in seven appearances. Two years later, he helped the United States earn a bronze medal at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, tallying nine points in seven games during the tournament.