FORT LAUDERDALE — The Florida Panthers visit the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday and the story of the night will be the return of Brady Tkachuk to Canada’s capital.
Tkachuk spent the first eight years of his NHL career with the Senators including what would be the final five as team captain.
Only this offseason after a rocky couple of months, he asked for a trade. With two years left on his contract, Tkachuk told the Senators he would not sign a new one with them.
At the end of the day, Tkachuk’s no-move clause included every other team but one: The Panthers.
So, as one may expect, he is not the most popular person in Ottawa these days.
The Senators are expected to honor their former captain with the traditional tribute video during the first media timeout Wednesday.
But what will the response from fans of the home team be?
Matthew Tkachuk, after all, got a partial standing ovation during his video tribute in his return to Calgary in 2022.
He forced his way out of town as well.
Brady told NHL.com on Monday that he has “no expectations” on what the fans are going to do Wednesday night.
He added he is just happy to be going back to Ottawa.
“If they boo, well, it just shows the passion that they have for their team, their city,’’ Tkachuk said.
“I loved playing in front of them because of that passion. Just know I gave every ounce of blood, sweat, and tears for that team, that city, for eight years. I can hold my head up high for the effort that I gave. I just appreciate all that they have done for me and making me who I am today.’’
In speaking to the South Florida media in a scrum before talking to NHL.com, Tkachuk said the return game in Ottawa was one “you kind of circle on the calendar” and that he was going to “be nervous.”
He added he wasn’t “going to waste time” on worrying about the response and that he had “not thought much about it.’’
“It’s going to be fun,’’ Tkachuk continued. “Going to be weird but a cool experience. Yeah, looking forward to it.’’
Later, he said he planned on meeting up with some now-former Ottawa teammates at one of their favorite restaurants in the city.
At Wednesday’s morning skate, he hopes to run into folks from the Senators organization and enjoy his time back.
The fact this is a game in a stacked Atlantic Division is not lost on Tkachuk.
Both the Panthers and Senators need a win here to keep pace. The two teams came into Tuesday tied with Tampa Bay for second in the division with 12 points each. The Bruins lead the Atlantic with nine points.
“It’s a big game for us, and I am happy with that,’’ Tkachuk said. “In the grand scheme of things, I need to focus on that.’’
George Richards is the Florida Panthers’ correspondent for NHL.com
ON DECK: GAME No. 10
FLORIDA PANTHERS at OTTAWA SENATORS
- When: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Canada Tire Center, Ottawa
- Local TV: Scripps Sports — WSFL 39 (Miami/FTL); WHDT 9 (WPB); LAFF 36.3 (SWFla)
- Streaming: Panthers+, ESPN+
- Radio: WQAM; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM. Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM, NHL App
- Last Season: Panthers won 3-1
- This Season — At Ottawa: Wednesday; March 18. At Florida: Nov. 25; Jan. 18
- All-time Regular Season Series: Ottawa leads 60-51-6, 3 ties
- Up Next for the Panthers: Thursday at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7
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