During a media session at the Board of Governors meetings on Monday, TSN’s insider panel shared an update regarding the Ottawa Senators’ frustrations over trade rumors involving captain Brady Tkachuk. Senators owner Michael Andlauer expressed anger over reports linking Tkachuk to other NHL teams, calling it “soft tampering” and urging the league to take stronger action, especially as smaller-market teams like Ottawa and Winnipeg are disproportionately affected by such rumors.
Andlauer firmly stated that neither he nor the Senators have held trade discussions about Tkachuk, reaffirming that the 25-year-old remains a core player and will be with the team long-term.
He added that this is the third instance during his ownership in which the organization has had to address false rumors regarding Tkachuk’s future.
The issue of tampering, particularly affecting smaller-market teams, has been increasingly concerning in the NHL, according to Darren Dreger. Andlauer also indicated plans to discuss the matter with Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, expressing frustration with the league’s lack of enforcement of anti-tampering regulations.
Can the NHL Do Anything to Stop Tampering Rumors like Brady Tkachuk’s?
Tampering has become a recurring issue in the NHL, with the league issuing memos warning teams about potential fines, loss of draft picks, and other penalties for violations. However, Michael Andlauer and other executives from smaller-market teams argue that these measures are largely ineffective unless formal complaints are filed.
There are no plans to press formal charges in this case, as there is no concrete evidence linking the Rangers to the rumors. While it’s believed that the original report by Larry Brooks has some merit, and many speculate that the Rangers may have been trying to stir up conversation about Brady Tkachuk, there’s no way to officially connect them to the story.
The ongoing belief that players in smaller Canadian markets may seek opportunities in larger, tax-friendly U.S. cities only adds to the frustration, with figures like Andlauer particularly sensitive to these dynamics.
Andlauer also shared that he and General Manager Steve Staios recently reassured Tkachuk that no trade discussions had taken place, hoping to clear up any confusion caused by the rumors. However, the Senators’ repeated need to address these false reports is starting to cause frustration within the organization, especially since it seems no one is taking action to prevent such rumors.
Elliotte Friedman also noted that the issue of players desiring to move to “greener pastures” will always be a concern, but the Senators are increasingly frustrated with the situation.
As the Board of Governors meeting continues, it remains unclear whether Andlauer’s concerns will lead to any significant changes, or if this will just be another unresolved frustration for small-market teams.
Leave a Reply