Senators' Pinto and Giroux break silence on Brady Tkachuk's shock trade to Florida
Shane Pinto and Claude Giroux, speaking publicly for the first time since the trade, reflected on losing their former captain after three weeks of adjustment.
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Two of the most prominent Ottawa Senators are beginning to process captain Brady Tkachuk's shock departure just over three weeks after his trade to the Florida Panthers.
Centre Shane Pinto, speaking with local media on Tuesday for the first time since the trade, shared his initial reaction. "I don't think you ever sense this kind of a big move. But yeah, it happened. I think everyone was pretty shocked by it. It's his career. That's what he wanted to do and you just move on. He's still going to be my good bud, and it's just part of the business. And we continue to play."
Days after the deal was done, Senators GM Steve Staios admitted that "maybe something was amiss" with Tkachuk as last season went on. Winger Claude Giroux, who signed a one-year, $2 million contract on July 7, said he didn't anticipate such a move. "Never really thought about it until, I don't know, maybe a little bit later during the season. I don't know. You just don't think that's going to happen. Brady was captain here, and he was great in the community and he did a lot for this community. You just don't think that that kind of trade would happen, and obviously it did."
Defenceman Jake Sanderson was the only Senator to acknowledge the trade on social media, sharing the organization's farewell post with the message "GOAT" and a heart emoji. Giroux acknowledged that losing such a personality reshapes the locker room. "I mean, Brady's a big personality and he brings a lot to the team on and off the ice. So obviously, it's going to be a different look a little bit. But in saying that, we have a lot of guys, a lot of leadership in the locker room, and they're young guys, so it's on them to keep playing the way they've been playing and bring some leadership in the locker room."
Unable to get a roster player back in the deal with Florida, Staios quickly acquired winger William Eklund from the San Jose Sharks and veteran forward Andre Burakovsky from the Chicago Blackhawks. The NHL will reveal the full regular season schedule Thursday at 1 p.m. ET, showing when Tkachuk returns to Ottawa.
The facts
When did Claude Giroux sign with the Senators?
Claude Giroux signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Ottawa Senators on July 7, 2026.
Who did the Senators acquire after trading Tkachuk?
The Ottawa Senators acquired winger William Eklund from the San Jose Sharks and veteran forward Andre Burakovsky from the Chicago Blackhawks after trading Brady Tkachuk to Florida.
When will the NHL reveal Tkachuk's return to Ottawa?
The NHL will reveal the full regular season schedule on Thursday, July 18, 2026 at 1 p.m. ET, which will show when Brady Tkachuk returns to Ottawa with the Florida Panthers.
