The NHL rumor mill is buzzing again, and this time it’s Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk at the center of the storm. NHL insider Andy Strickland dropped a bombshell a few days ago, suggesting that a trade involving the 25-year-old power forward might be “inevitable” as the Senators grapple with their direction. It’s a bold claim—Ottawa’s front office has repeatedly doubled down on Tkachuk as their cornerstone—but Strickland’s track record demands attention. If the Senators are even remotely open to moving their heart-and-soul leader, the St. Louis Blues should be first in line, phone in hand, ready to right a wrong from their past.
Rewind to the summer of 2022. The Blues had a golden opportunity to land Matthew Tkachuk, Brady’s older brother, when he forced his way out of Calgary. St. Louis was in the mix—rumors swirled about a package but they couldn’t close the deal.
Florida swooped in with a king’s ransom: Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, and more, sending Matthew to the Panthers, where he’s since become a Conn Smythe-caliber star and hoisted the Stanley Cup.
The Blues’ hesitation—or inability to match that haul—left them watching from the sidelines as a hometown kid slipped away.
Now, fate’s offering a mulligan. Brady Tkachuk, younger but no less impactful, could be the Blues’ chance to bring a Tkachuk into the fold. He’s not just a name—25 years old, nearly a point-per-game clip, a league-leader in hits, and a captain’s “C” stitched on his sweater. He’s signed through 2027-28 at $8.2 million annually, with a no-movement clause looming on July 1, 2025. If Ottawa’s wavering, the window’s narrow, and the Blues can’t afford to flinch again. But prying a captain from a franchise that’s publicly hitched its wagon to him? That’s no small feat.
The Ottawa Conundrum
Strickland’s whispers suggest unrest in Ottawa. It could be the Senators’ mediocre record, their playoff drought, or a subtle indication that they’re reevaluating their core. Trading Tkachuk would be a significant move, and they’d likely demand a substantial trade package that maintains their competitiveness while replenishing their future. The Blues, in their own rebuilding phase, possess the necessary components to make a compelling case. However, GM Doug Armstrong must navigate a delicate balance—enhancing the roster with Tkachuk’s grit without compromising the core of Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, and their prized prospects.
A Blues Proposal
Here’s a package that could get Ottawa’s attention:
Brayden Schenn (F, 33, $6.5M through 2026-27):
The Blues’ captain brings leadership, 20-25 goal reliability, and postseason pedigree. At $1.7M less than Tkachuk cap-wise, he gives Ottawa flexibility while filling a top-six role short-term. He’s not the long-term answer Tkachuk is, but he’s a bridge piece with gravitas.
Jake Neighbours (F, 22, $835K through 2024-25, RFA):
As before, Neighbours offers power-forward potential and cost certainty, softening the blow of losing Tkachuk’s physicality.
2025 First-Round Pick (Top-10 Protected):
A premium asset, protected to ensure St. Louis doesn’t lose a lottery pick if the trade backfires. Ottawa could draft a blue-chipper or flip it for more help.
2026 Third-Round Pick:
Extra capital to sweeten the pot, giving Ottawa’s scouts another swing in a deep draft. The Blues could also offer an additional prospect to help add value here as well.
Why It Could Work
The Blues land Tkachuk to compliment Thomas and Kyrou, enhancing their top-six toughness. Losing Schenn and Neighbours thins their depth but they retain their elite prospects.
Ottawa gets Schenn as a stopgap leader, Neighbours as an NHL-ready player with physicality and a gritty side that maintains a bit of the physicality lost with Tkachuk, and a first-rounder to reshape their roster. The Senators would lose Tkachuk’s intangibles, no question, and that’s where the deal could stall. The Senators would need to be sold on Schenn’s fit and Neighbours potential, or they might demand a tweak like a lower-level prospect.
If there is a truce chance at the Blues acquiring a Tkachuk, they cannot let a second slip through their fingers. Matthew Tkachuk’s departure to Florida was a lesson in boldness—Florida bet big and won big. Brady’s not on the market yet, not officially, but if Strickland’s right and Ottawa’s listening, St. Louis has to strike. This package isn’t a slam dunk—acquiring a captain never is—but it’s a credible start.
Armstrong’s got the assets; now it’s about the will. A Tkachuk in Blues blue? It’s a legacy worth chasing, and this time, they can’t let it slip away.