Brady Tkachuk didn’t need long to explain why he’s fired up for his next chapter in Florida.
Yes, playing alongside his brother Matthew is a huge part of the story. But Tkachuk made it clear that his move to the Panthers was about something bigger: a chance to chase a Stanley Cup with a team that expects to be in the thick of it.
The former Senators captain was in Las Vegas this week for the NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour, and he spoke about the buzz around a Panthers team that’s already turned its attention to getting back on track. Training camp is expected to open next week in Fort Lauderdale, and Tkachuk said the energy around the club is impossible to miss.
“You can just feel the energy and excitement,” said Tkachuk, per NHL.com. “Last year didn’t go the way that they wanted, what they expected, and just the motivation … They’re not even talking about the two Cups. They’re talking about last year and how they want to get back to where they wanted to be.
“You can see it, the commitment to get back there,” he continued. “I know everybody’s chomping at the bit to get the season going, and we just can’t wait for the next week and a half.”
Tkachuk has already started settling into his new surroundings in South Florida. He’s been seen at the team’s practice facility in Panthers gear, taking informal skates with Matthew, Sasha Barkov and other teammates as he gets a feel for the group he’s joining.
And while the obvious storyline is the family angle, Tkachuk said that’s not what’s driving him most. What stands out to him is the chance to join a veteran, playoff-tested roster that already knows how to handle the grind when the games get heavier.
“I’m more excited about the on-ice aspects, not just with (Matthew) but with the group,” said Tkachuk. “I’m really excited about that.
It’s a great group to be a part of. The main focus is always going to be on hockey.”
That’s the fit the Panthers are betting on: a hard-nosed, high-energy player stepping into a locker room built around effort, experience and championship expectations. Add in the brother connection, and Tkachuk’s reaction summed it up simply.
“It’s just a dream come true,” he said.
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