‘Tkachuk outlined to Staios he wasn’t going to re-sign in Ottawa’: Garrioch on Tkachuk trade

Brady, there's been a lot of discourse regarding your future since the series ended.Is that a discussion you plan to have with Steve Stales this summer?

Well, I mean, of course, I wasn't here for, you know, everybody's meetings and the other day and so I haven't had the chance to talk to Steve, but I mean, I feel like I've answered this hundreds of times that None of that, I feel like I've never shown.I've never said.None of those things ever came out of my mouth.And quite honestly, it's just getting frustrating.It's becoming a distraction.And I have been fully committed to this team, to the city.

And it's just becoming a distraction, frustrating to deal with.

And now he's gone.And the guy who asked him that question Just happens to be joining me now on the show.It's Bruce Garriock from PostMedia.And it's great to see you, Bruce.So, yeah, you were the one who actually asked him that question in that end -of -season media conference.We saw how frustrated Brady was getting, having to answer it over and over.

Less than two months later, he's a member of the Florida Panthers.Are you shocked in any way about what happened on Sunday, Bruce?

Well, he's a distraction no more, right?And am I shocked?I'm shocked at the timing, Jay.I thought that at some point or another, this was going to happen between the Senators and Brady Kachuk, but quite frankly, I thought they were going to write out this year and then deal with it next summer.But Steve Stales sat down with Brady Kachuk last month in New Jersey after he got back from the World Championships, and at that time, Brady outlined to him that he wasn't going to resign here.And I think at that point, Stales asked him for a list.

He got a list of a very small list of four teams that he could look at trading him to but in the end the only place he was goingto go was Florida.So, Stales had to find a way to make this happen with the Panthers.

Okay, so why though, Bruce, do you feel that Steve ultimately felt like he had to make the move right now?

I think the whole, everything that went on after the Olympics, Jay, I think it became a distraction, not only in the marketplace, but I think in that dressing room.You know, I don't think anybody could tell you that Jake Sanderson was at the White House.I think everybody could tell you that Brady Kachuk was at the White House.I think all the discourse after the Four Nations face -off and what happened at the Olympics, I think that that started to seep into the room.And I think there was concern about the commitment to the organization.And ultimately, Brady Kachuk was not committed to this organization.

He basically had said to them, look, I'm going to head out after two years.You may want to think about moving me.

OK, and then they ultimately get a good return, three first round picks, a second round pick.But ultimately, it's all futures, Bruce.Were you concerned at all about the fact that they didn't end up getting a player back in this deal?

100%, Jay.I really thought, look, if you get an Anton Lindell, I think at one point they asked for Carter Verhage.I don't think Verhage was going to waive his no -move clause to come here.I don't want to say if they got no warm body, but I think they needed to get some kind of player in return.Now look, Staels has been busy working the phones since this deal happened.There's a lot of interest in those number 9 and number 25 selections.

I've reported here that they're in on Mason McTavish and the Anaheim Ducks.I think they've kicked tires on Jordan Cairo of the St. Louis Blues.They've been very active in the in the top six for market.They clearly have to find somebody to play with to play with Tim Stutzler.I think ultimately though Jay.They feel like their room might be a little better now that they've moved on from Brady Kachuk.

And that's a tough thing to say when you're talking about your captain.

It certainly is.And I know it's early and it just happened, but what's the reaction around the nation's capital, Bruce, about the captain finally being on the move out of town?

Well, I think it's it mixed is the best way to put it.I think that that people are a little concerned about the return because really, those are futures.This is a team that is supposed to be close to being a Stanley Cup contender.And all of a sudden, you've taken away a very big piece in the captain.But I also think that that the reaction is mixed because of of the whole, everything that surrounded Brady Kachuck, off the ice, and everything that went with the whole American team and the celebration at the White House.I think they look at this and say, he's where he wants to be.

and they'll figure out a way to make this team what they want it to be as a result of this trade.

You're initially, what do you think the reaction will be when Brady could Chuck finally makes his way back to the Canadian Tire Center for his first game as a Florida Panther extra security and and stuff on the stuff on the ice, you know, I mean like sweaters on the ice.I think it's going to be the exact same as the danny heatley return which was famous here yet fair enough bruce it great to chat with you as always that's post media spruce gary akka talking about the brady could truck tree