Talk of star players requesting trades is something that could become a new trend this summer and beyond. Several pundits and insiders have gone out on a limb to say that Dylan Larkin won’t be the last big-name player to ask out of his current team.
That said, one notable insider, Michael Russo of The Athletic, believes that the next shoe to drop could be Brady Tkachuk.
In a June 5 piece in which Russo addressed the Wild’s offseason plans, the notable insider discussed how he believes Tkachuk won’t be re-signing with the Ottawa Senators.
“I bet you Brady Tkachuk is next. I don’t buy for one second that he plans to extend with the Ottawa Senators after next summer.”
That’s not really an earth-shattering prediction. Several pundits and talking heads have already predicted that Tkachuk won’t be in Ottawa for much longer. That’s why the Senators captain and the organization have had to address the matter publicly to reassure fans.
But where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And the Dylan Larkin trade request has only ignited conversation around several major stars who could be looking to get a fresh start elsewhere.
Tkachuk will be entering the sixth year of a seven-year deal next season. He’ll be eligible to extend in the summer of 2027. That situation means that this offseason wouldn’t place the clock close to midnight for the Senators and Tkachuk.
But you do have to wonder at what point Tkachuck will say to the organization, “Look, I don’t want to re-sign.” At that point, the onus will be on Steve Staois to do something. That “something” will be to trade Tkachuk, lest the organization loses him for nothing during the summer of 2028.
Perhaps it’s too premature for this conversation this offseason. But again, the Senators will want clarity on the matter. Tkachuk is far more valuable with one-plus years left on his contract than as an impending UFA.
This summer might not be quite so eventful on the Tkachuk front. But if he does become available, there will be a flurry of speculation surrounding the Sens captain and his potential destinations.
