Brady Tkachuk's trade request blindsided head coach Travis Green and changed the direction of the Ottawa Senators.
Green broke his silence on the 100% Hockey podcast, saying Steve Staios informed him of the request roughly 3 to 4 weeks after the season ended.
The coach admitted he was surprised and angry. Tkachuk had been one of the main reasons Green felt excited about taking the Ottawa job.
Green expected his captain to remain central to the Senators' growth after the club returned to the playoffs. Instead, Tkachuk asked for a fresh start following a first-round sweep.
Ottawa traded him to Florida on June 21 for 3 first-round picks and a second-round selection, ending one of the summer's largest NHL storylines.
Green waited until the deal was completed before contacting Tkachuk. He wanted the player, his agent and Staios to finish the business side before speaking personally.
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Travis Green opens up about Brady Tkachuk's trade request
The conversation between Green and Tkachuk reportedly went well. Green also intends to preserve his relationship with the family after playing alongside Keith Tkachuk during his own career.
Staios quickly used one of the acquired first-round picks to bring William Eklund to Ottawa from San Jose. Andre Burakovsky also joined the forward group.
Those additions won't erase Tkachuk's physical presence or emotional pull inside the locker room. They do give Green more skill and different options across the top six.
The coach believes Ottawa's largest gains will come internally. He named Tim Stutzle, Jake Sanderson, Ridly Greig, Dylan Cozens, Shane Pinto, Fabian Zetterlund and Tyler Kleven as players capable of taking another step.
The Senators also went 12-5-5 without Tkachuk last season. That record gives Green evidence that the group can function without its former captain driving the lineup.
Ottawa opens its season against Toronto on October 3. Tkachuk's first return as a Panthers player is scheduled for October 21, when every emotion around the trade will resurface.
Green didn't hide his frustration, but he has already shifted toward the roster still in Ottawa. The Senators lost their captain, gained major assets and now must prove the reset made them stronger.
Source : Brady Tkachuk's former coach was both surprised and pissed at his trade demand
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