Chris Pronger has weighed in on Brady Tkachuk’s trade to the Florida Panthers. He says the Panthers won the trade for now. But he also believes the Ottawa Senators could ultimately use the deal to their advantage.
Brady Tkachuk forced a trade from the Ottawa Senators to the Florida Panthers, where he will be reunited with his older brother, Matthew Tkachuk.
READ MORE: Brady Tkachuk called out by fans after Panthers trade
Brady Tkachuk to Panthers trade details
The trade sent Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers, while the Ottawa Senators received the ninth and 25th overall picks in the 2026 NHL Draft. They also acquired a second-round pick in 2027, along with a top-10 protected first-round pick in 2029.
The trade has upset many Senators fans, as Tkachuk served as the team’s captain for the past five seasons. But Hall of Famer Chris Pronger believes the Senators could eventually emerge as winners of the trade.
Chris Pronger’s brutally honest take
Taking to his X account, Pronger shared his verdict on the deal.
“First, as in any trade, the team that gets the best player wins the trade. That, currently, is the Florida Panthers. However, maybe there was pressure on Ottawa, whether it came from Brady Tkachuk or from the situation itself. They may not have wanted it to become a distraction when training camp starts or if the season begins and things go sideways again,” Pronger said before continuing.
“If you’re Ottawa, there are a couple of things to look at here. Number one, they get a top-10 pick — the ninth overall selection. Secondly, they don’t get an NHL player. I would have liked to see an NHL player come back in the deal. But they’re getting draft capital. They gain more cap flexibility as well. The initial reaction is that it’s a complete bust for Ottawa. I don’t necessarily believe that,” Pronger said.
You can watch the full video below.
READ MORE: NHL insider says Brady Tkachuk became a locker-room distraction
