HENDERSON, NV — Way off in the Nevada desert, Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson shared a hockey rink together.
Nothing at all like old times.
As the close friends, gold medallists and now ex-teammates glided past each other on Wednesday while shooting promotional bits as part of the NHL’s Player Media Tour, Sanderson was taken aback by the first sight of Tkachuk in enemy’s clothing.
A Florida Panthers crest on his chest. The No. 8 stitched to the back he turned on Ottawa when the captain requested his off-season trade away from the Senators with two seasons remaining on his contract.
“That just looks weird,” Sanderson told his friend.
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Two and a half months after the blockbuster trade that rocked a nation’s capital and reinvigorated the 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup champions, Tkachuk’s forcing the Senators’ hand remains a major talking point around a league that is undergoing a jolt of player empowerment and movement.
Familiar faces, strange outfits.
“It’s still new. It’s still weird. I mean, I know once I put it on for the first time in preseason, it’s gonna feel good and feel real,” Tkachuk told Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas during a recording of their 32 Thoughts podcast.
After eight seasons, 463 points and two trips to the postseason in Ottawa, the power forward’s trade request to GM Steve Staios — which unites him with older brother Matthew Tkachuk in South Florida and sent a handful of draft picks north — was the result of deep thought and reflection.
“That was really hard, emotional, and it definitely wasn’t an easy decision whatsoever,” Tkachuk said. “Ottawa truly is a special place to me. Been there for eight years, and the relationships, the people that I call family, and I know the city welcomed me right from Day One.
“I became a dad there, became a husband during my time in Ottawa, and feel it’s really important in turning me into who I am today. I love the people there, love the city, love the fan base.”
The fan base’s love for Tkachuk has, to put it kindly, been tested. While repeatedly stressing his desire to focus on the present, Tkachuk takes issue with some of the reaction on social media to his decision.
“The hardest one is people saying that my mind wasn’t in it, and I’ve been a year and a half trying to think about it — and that’s just not true. I feel like I’m able to look myself in the mirror knowing I gave absolutely everything I had, right to the end. And to see that was tough to see,” Tkachuk said.
“But everybody has a right to say everything that they need to say or want to say. But all that stuff’s in the past, and I’m looking forward to the excitement of the new season.”
Sanderson says the Tkachuk trade came as a shock.
“I mean, looking back, I shouldn’t be surprised that Brady wants to go play with his brother. I don’t think anybody should be surprised when they see that. But to see it actually happen is crazy. He was such a big personality and leader in our room, so things will be different for sure,” Sanderson said. “I’m gonna miss him a lot as a teammate. He was that big brother for me on the team. Was always there for me. So, our friendship doesn’t change by any means.”
The bond between Tkachuk and Sanderson strengthened as they pushed to drive the Senators’ rebuild into the postseason and helped lift Team USA to its first Olympic gold since the Miracle on Ice.
Sanderson saw how difficult it was for his friend to process 2025’s first-round ouster by the Maple Leafs and 2026’s sweep by the Hurricanes, a series in which Tkachuk failed to register a point.
“The thing with Brady, he puts a lot of pressure on himself. I saw him after tough games, after tough losses in the playoffs. He wears it really heavy. And I tried to be there for him, but he takes it so seriously — as you should. He’s really tough on him(self).”
In Florida, Tkachuk won’t need to be The Man. Captain Aleksander Barkov and veterans Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad will all help alleviate pressure. As will the outspoken Matthew.
“The dream goes back to being a kid,” Tkachuk beamed. “He grew up my best friend from when I was born to now. So just the idea of being able to play the NHL together is what was so special. So now that it is true, it’s amazing. A dream come true.”
Tkachuk’s leaves a captaincy void in Ottawa.
And while Sanderson is quick to note 38-year-old Claude Giroux’s leadership abilities, the top-tier defenceman is a more likely candidate and more representative of the club’s future.
He’s also willing if called upon.
“Going into my first year, I was so shy and such a quiet kid, and I feel like I am still a little bit reserved. But just being more comfortable with my teammates kind of helps me open up. And even getting older, I’m just more comfortable in my skin,” Sanderson said.
“But once Brady got traded, ‘Be ready for anything’ was kind of my mindset. Not expecting (the captaincy), though. But just in the back of my mind, be ready for it, just in case.”
Just as Tkachuk is readying for an emotional return to the Canadian Tire Centre on Oct. 21.
The fans in Kanata could get as loud as a Tkachuk family dinner when they see Brady in his new uni.
“And I don’t blame them. I think they’re so passionate. And I don’t think Brady blames them either. I think he understands where they’re coming from,” Sanderson said.
“But, yeah, it’s so weird. Like, just being here, seeing him in that jersey, like it just doesn’t… I don’t want to say it doesn’t look right. It’s just so weird, like with those colours. But, yeah, that game will be interesting for sure.
“For me, as a friend of his and former teammate, I’ll welcome him back friendly. But I know maybe some other people and fans won’t.”