“Benedict” Tkachuk.
That’s what a friend of mine in Ottawa is now calling Brady Tkachuk, former captain of the Ottawa Senators. Benedict Arnold, as you may recall from your Grade 9 history lessons, was a U.S. general who switched sides and joined the British during the American Revolutionary War. His name became synonymous with the word “traitor.”
Meanwhile, the American-born Tkachuk was traded last weekend to Florida where he joins his brother Matthew and the Panthers, who sent a slew of draft picks north in the blockbuster exchange for the rugged forward. The deal has miffed many a Sens supporter, including my aforementioned friend.
And this guy, believe me, is the most diehard Senators fan I know. Diehard with a capital D.
What bugs him most about the recent transaction is how Tkachuk had repeatedly told the Ottawa media that he was committed to the team. As for the rampant trade talk following the first-round playoff sweep of the Senators by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes, Tkachuk called it a bunch baloney. Clearly, he was full of baloney.
Despite the impressive haul of draft picks the Sens received in the swap, my friend in Ottawa laments the loss of a prototypical power forward who, when healthy, is among the best in the NHL at what he does. Tkachuk will be extremely difficult to replace.
But I can’t wait until he makes his first appearance in Ottawa next season wearing a Panthers uniform. My friend and his fellow Senators fans should boo the bloody roof off.
“Ottawa Senators fans feel like they’ve been slapped in the face,” wrote Callum Fraser in the Ottawa Citizen. “And how could they not?”
Exactly.
Despite feeding his fans a load of horse manure by either denying or deflecting all the trade talk this spring, Tkachuk had reportedly indicated to Sens management that he would not re-sign with the club at the conclusion of his current multi-million-dollar contract in 2028. He forced the trade.
So, under the circumstances, Ottawa GM Steve Staios did the best he could. He granted Tkachuk what was clearly his wish all along — an NHL reunion with his brother — and picked up some key draft picks that could translate into some nifty building blocks for an up-and-coming Senators club.
Replacing a player of Tkachuk’s ilk won’t be easy. But having him stick around for another two years as a lame duck leader was simply not a feasible option for the Senators organization.
Says my disappointed friend: “Staios cut off the gangrene.”
That would be Brady Tkachuk. Sorry. I mean, “Benedict” Tkachuk.
