OTTAWA — Leadership is about galvanizing a group of people in tough times to overcome collective obstacles.
We are unsure if, as the kids say, Brady Tkachuk "quiet quit" on the Ottawa Senators, but we know now that GM Steve Staios isn’t going to. Even after trading Tkachuk away.
"I have no intention of this group taking a step back," was the message from Staios one day after trading Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers in the biggest blockbuster of the summer so far.
So what changed between Staios's claims at the end of the season that the Tkachuk trade rumours were "nonsense" and now? Tkachuk requested a trade, according to Staios.
And there was only one team Tkachuk had his eyes on.
"It was clearly pointed at one team at the end," said Staios about Tkachuk’s desire to go to the Panthers. "I feel comfortable with the return given the circumstances."
Staios admitted that Tkachuk’s request for Florida-and-Florida-only put him in a vice.
“If the player was offered to 31 other teams, what does the return look like?” he asked at one point.
Staios did the best he could to recoup three firsts and a second-round pick.
In a funny twist, when Staios was asked about how active he would be to trade either the ninth or 25th pick in this Friday's draft, his phone suddenly rang.
"How’s that for timing?" he joked.
The Senators' decision maker has made a clear decision.
Those picks are in play and will be traded to acquire elite players to win now.
"I don't see it being a reset or rebuild or a retool," Staios said. "I think it's one player that has been traded."
With Tkachuk gone, the Senators now face the challenge of finding his replacement. The way to do that is either to acquire a star or find two high-quality wingers utilizing his draft capital.
There is an argument to be made for holding on to the ninth pick or even trading higher. The pick could be an impact player in two to three years time, even sooner, perhaps.
But Staios seems to feel the time is now.
"It's a top-10 pick that holds value. My job now is to find out what that value is," he said.
"There's certainly some players that we've outlined and targeted that we're going to look at."
Is a top-10 pick enough to get Jason Robertson, Matthew Knies, Robert Thomas, or another high-powered forward?
"You're never going to really replace Brady, he's a unique player," Staios said. "Are there ways that I can help make this team better? We think there's an opportunity to do that now, whether that happens in the next two weeks or two months."
Staios would be prudent to beckon players wanting to come home, such as Anaheim Ducks forward Mason McTavish, an Ottawa native who spends his summer in the area. Nevertheless, a McTavish acquisition still leaves the Senators worse off than before a Tkachuk trade.
With Tkachuk’s contract out of the fold, the Senators have $25 million in cap space, which opens up a sea of options including becoming more active in free agency. Ottawa may not spend to the cap, but Staios said owner Michael Andlauer is open to doing so if necessary.
“We need to be responsible,” said Staios.
The problem for Staios is that acquiring any elite forward available, even at the best of times, takes a mammoth offer. Just look at what Florida gave Ottawa for Tkachuk, who had a no-move clause and only wanted to go to Florida. Unfortunately, many players have Ottawa on their no-trade lists.
Staios also needs to hold on to what he’s got if he doesn’t want to sink to the bottom of the Atlantic. Staios said he’s in contract extension negotiations with Drake Batherson, Artem Zub and with impending restricted free agent Jordan Spence.
Even if the Senators can keep their horses in the stable, their field of play may be limited, as there have been reports that Robertson and Jordan Kyrou aren’t interested in coming to Ottawa despite a clear fit.
Staios insists Ottawa is still an attractive destination for top talent, despite three previous captains, among others, asking out.
"I'm not concerned if you're alluding to the fact that you think people don't want to play in Ottawa. I don't think that's the case," Staios said. "I think that this was a unique situation. There's obviously a clear, clear path on why (Tkachuk) wanted to play for the team that he's on now."
Tkachuk is one of several American-born stars who have recently wanted out of Canadian cities. Quinn Hughes is an obvious example, but Connor Hellebuyck is also said to be getting restless. Staios said that won’t discourage the Senators from drafting or acquiring American players.
"I don't think it's anything that would keep me away from trying to get a good player," he said. "I don't look at the passport."
For the time being, it sure feels like Americans on Canadian teams are flight risks.
Years ago, when another American, Alex DeBrincat, forced his way out of Ottawa, Tim Stutzle spoke for many in the organization and the fanbase.
"If you don't want to be there, then good luck on your way," said Stutzle at the time.
There were questions all season about how committed Tkachuk was to the Senators.
Tkachuk spoke about fatigue and the emotional baggage he carried after winning gold at the Olympics and returning to the Senators. As the Senators mounted a monumental comeback, rushing up the standings from second last in the conference in mid-January, you’d expect the captain to lead the way. Instead, the team picked up for their leader while Tkachuk fought — literally — to try to energize himself.
He then went scoreless in a single deflating playoff round.
Hindsight is 20/20 but we actually could see it at the time.
"I think, as the year went on, for me,” said Staios about Tkachuk’s trade request. “(I)could clearly see that Brady was a bit of a different player from the year before, so probably not overly surprised (about the request) at that point."
Staios explained that Tkachuk wanted to be in Florida with brother Matthew and to be closer to his newly minted Hall of Fame father, Keith.
Staios emphasized that he wanted Tkachuk in the picture, but ultimately, Tkachuk didn’t want to be.
The Tkachuks are are changing the face of the game with trade requests and podcasts. We aren’t sure it’s for the better but it’s happening.
Many Senators fans seem happy saying sayonara to their former hero turned villain, at least if you look at social media. Still, few would argue that even the boatload of draft picks the Senators got in return, including two first-rounders this year and one down the line, makes the team stronger in the near term.
Tkachuk’s former teammates have been silent; sometimes saying nothing says everything. Typically, players say goodbye to teammates on social media. As of Monday afternoon, no Senators player had done that for Tkachuk.
Tkachuk's legacy may eventually be that he wins a Stanley Cup with his brother. But his legacy could have been more singular and more enduring as the hero in Ottawa.
"I wouldn't change anything, I mean, as far as how we handled Brady," Staios said. "(We) supported him, protected him at times."
The legacy of Brady Tkachuk in Ottawa will be that he gave his heart and soul to the Senators. Until he didn’t.
