Brady Tkachuk has never been just another player for the Ottawa Senators—he’s their captain, their heartbeat, and the guy who sets the tone every night. But after the franchise made a surprising deadline move, trading away his close friend and longtime teammate Josh Norris, his emotional reaction has left fans wondering if his patience with the team is starting to wear thin.

While the trade itself sparked plenty of debate, it was Tkachuk’s raw response that stole the show. His words, filled with frustration and sadness, made it clear just how much Norris’ departure stung. And as rumors swirl about his future, fans are split—some believe he’s in it for the long haul, while others are convinced this could be the moment that pushes him toward the exit.

The Ottawa Senators made waves before the trade deadline, sending Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert, and a 2026 second-round pick. While now with the Sabres, the 25-year-old will look to build on the solid performances he delivered once with the Senators, his departure was still hard on his best friend.

Tkachuk, who has been the heart and soul of the franchise, didn’t shy away from expressing how tough it was to see Norris go. “Emotionally, yeah, that’s pretty tough. Yeah, sucks, losing a guy like that,” he admitted, visibly shaken by the trade. The two were close both on and off the ice, making the sudden separation all the more difficult. In fact, in 2021, the captain even lived with Josh Norris and Tim Stutzle.

Moving on, as the news of Norris’ trade hit the internet, fans couldn’t help but speculate what’s in store for the Senators captain. Let’s see what they had to say.

Fans are speculating about a potential new trade

The trade sent shockwaves through the Senators’ fanbase, but the attention quickly turned to Tkachuk’s future. Some fans are convinced this move only pushes him closer to the exit door.

“Boo his anthem, trade his best friend, never make playoffs…… yea I’m sure he’s staying 😂🤡,” one fan wrote, expressing frustration over Ottawa’s inability to build a contending team around their captain. The Senators haven’t qualified for the postseason since 2017, a fact that continues to haunt the fanbase and raises real questions about the team’s direction.

And of course, how can we forget the booing at the Canadian Tire Centre from the Canadian fans when the Ottawa Senators managed to defeat the San Jose Sharks 5-3 on Saturday? For the player who has represented Team USA in reaching the title game of the 4 Nations Face-Off, this must have been infuriating to witness, as the fans booed while the National Anthem was playing!

Also, fans are not alone in thinking that this might drive away the captain from the team. Even Spittin’ Chicklet host Ryan Whitney had pointed out how disrespecting the American National Anthem could make the 25-year-old leave the team.

Others, however, still believe Tkachuk is committed to the franchise despite the challenges. “He’s going to be fine. He’s staying in Ottawa.” Another fan countered, emphasizing the captain’s leadership and long-term contract. Tkachuk signed a seven-year, $57.5 million extension in 2021, showing his faith in the team’s future.

Though there are already certain fans who are speculating about a potential landing spot, others quickly began recruiting Tkachuk for their teams. “Now get mad, and request a trade to the #NYR,” a New York Rangers fan posted, hoping to add the left wibger to their roster. Similarly, a Blackhawks supporter chimed in with, “We’ve got to get Brady Tkachuk in a Blackhawks sweater. ASAP.”

While some fans dream of Tkachuk joining their squad, others remain convinced he’s destined for a more personal homecoming. “Oh welcome home to #stlblues buddy. Start the timer,” a St. Louis fan predicted, referencing his family ties—Tkachuk’s father, Keith, played nine seasons with the Blues, making it a sentimental favorite if he ever decides to move on.

But there are plenty who think his patience is wearing thin. “Brady isn’t staying in OTT…” one fan predicted, referencing the team’s continued lack of success. Even with young talent like Tim Stützle and Jake Sanderson, Ottawa’s rebuild has yet to show the progress that keeps stars happy long-term.

Even the performances put up this season have failed to be satisfactory as they are placed at the fourth spot in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference with 67 points. So far, they have managed to win 31 games out of the 61 played and have lost 25 games with 5 overtime losses. Dare we say more?

And that’s the biggest concern: will Tkachuk remain loyal if the team continues to fall short, or will the ongoing losses eventually push him to request a trade? What do you think? Let us know in the comments.