NHL3 hours ago2 minute read

Brady Tkachuk Scores Amid Boos in Heated Return to Ottawa

Brady Tkachuk heard boos all night and scored a goal in his first game back in Ottawa since being traded to the Florida Panthers.

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A Loud Reception in Ottawa

Brady Tkachuk returned to Ottawa on Wednesday for his first game since requesting a trade last spring. The former Senators captain was traded to the Florida Panthers in a blockbuster deal in June. The split was messy, coming shortly after Tkachuk publicly pledged his loyalty to Ottawa while privately asking management to move him.

The Ottawa crowd did not wait to show their frustration. Boos started the second his skates hit the ice in warmups and continued every time he touched the puck. Tkachuk had a wide smile across his face through it all. Fans shouted chants like "Brady sucks" and "We Don't Need You" throughout the night. Even when the Senators played a welcome video during a first period timeout, the tribute was barely audible over the loud boos.

Silencing the Noise With a Goal

Tkachuk still managed to score on Florida's very first shot of the night. He found the net on a power play midway through the first period to give Florida a 1-0 lead, raising his arms to the crowd in celebration.

The hostility stayed high. Tkachuk ended up in the penalty box after roughing it up with former teammate Nick Cousins. Ottawa got a lift of its own when Tim Stutzle tied the game 1-1 on a power play before the opening period ended. Although Tkachuk had pledged to donate any discarded sweaters to a local Boys and Girls Club chapter, fans did not throw their old number 7 jerseys onto the ice.

Tkachuk had two years left on a seven year, $57.5 million contract when he asked for a move following Ottawa's first round playoff exit against Carolina. He said he was a big boy who made his own decision to waive his full no move clause, denying that his brother Matthew or his father Keith pressured him.

What it means for the next game

San Jose Sharks at Ottawa Senators (NHL, Thu, 22 Oct): Ottawa Senators win 51%, San Jose Sharks win 49%; projected score Ottawa Senators 3, San Jose Sharks 3. Our safest pick: Sharks +1.5.

Florida Panthers at Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL, Thu, 22 Oct): Pittsburgh Penguins win 50%, Florida Panthers win 50%; projected score Pittsburgh Penguins 3, Florida Panthers 3. Our safest pick: Penguins +1.5.