The blockbuster trade that sent former Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers, reuniting him with his brother Matthew, sent shockwaves across the NHL.
But as Senators’ Shane Pinto opened up about his first reaction to the deal, his comments sparked another wave of discussion.
Shane Pinto’s Take on Brady Tkachuk’s Trade Raises Eyebrows Among Senators Fans
Pinto, who spent his entire six-year NHL career alongside Tkachuk, admitted the trade caught him completely off guard.
Speaking to TSN 1200, Pinto reflected on losing both a teammate and a close friend after Ottawa dealt Tkachuk to Florida in exchange for a package that included the No. 9 and No. 25 picks in the 2026 NHL Draft.
“Took everyone kinda by surprise. He’s been such a big part of this organization; obviously the face of it. He’s obviously one of my good buds too, so to see him go, it sucks. I think he just wanted to go down a different path and I totally understand that,” Pinto said.
Pinto later echoed those thoughts during his media availability at the Commissionaires Ottawa Open, making it clear that the trade was unexpected but that the team now has to move forward.
Shane Pinto media avail from the @OttawaOpenGolf. Pinto on Tkachuk leaving “We’re excited for the future. Yeah, we’re gonna miss him. But like I said, we gotta move on and worry about what’s in the room.” #gosensgo pic.twitter.com/qIJj8SVXmf
— Coming In Hot (@ComingInHotSens) July 14, 2026
His remarks come amid reports that uncertainty surrounding Tkachuk’s future had become a growing distraction for the organization before the deal was completed.
Pinto’s comments quickly sparked debate among Senators fans and media members. Senators reporter Jack Richardson wrote: “I’ll be waiting for Tim Stützle’s comments before overreacting to this. Thank you.”
NHL analyst Tyler Ray reminded fans that players often view situations differently than supporters. “Sens fans are gonna have to be prepared for the reality that the players on the team (while potentially not happy with the distractions he brought to the organization) still think of Brady as a good friend and aren’t going to carry the fanbase’s level of vitriol towards him.”
Derek Lee also questioned the criticism surrounding Pinto’s response. “I’m not sure what people were expecting him to say here. Lol,” Lee wrote. Meanwhile, Ottawa Senators writer Jacob Billington felt the reaction was overblown. “There are some unbelievable overreactions to this. This is what I expect 90% of the players to say in a situation like this,” Billington said.
With Tkachuk now beginning a new chapter in Florida, the Senators must move forward without the player who served as the face of the franchise for several seasons.
Pinto’s comments highlighted just how surprising the trade was for those inside the locker room, but they also underline the challenge Ottawa now faces in establishing a new leadership group as it enters the 2026-27 season.
