Brady Tkachuk Will Donate Senators Jerseys Fans Throw

Brady Tkachuk knows Ottawa is coming for him on Wednesday, and he already has a plan for the jerseys. The Panthers forward said every Senators jersey thrown on the ice in protest of his first game back will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa.

Tkachuk said on his "Wingmen" podcast on Tuesday that he spoke with the Panthers about it, per ESPN. "Every jersey that gets thrown on the ice is going to get donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa," he said. He added that he does not "recommend doing it," but he expects some fans will.

Brady Tkachuk and the trade Ottawa can't forget

This one stings in Ottawa because of how it ended. The Senators traded Tkachuk to Florida in June after he told management he did not plan to sign an extension when his contract runs out in 2028. He used his no-movement clause to steer the deal to the Panthers, where he joined his brother and podcast co-host Matthew Tkachuk.

"Clearly, it was pointed at one team at the end," Senators GM Steve Staios said. Fans also remember Tkachuk saying in April that he was "fully committed" to the franchise.

"If you're going to do it and send a message, just know that it's going to a good cause," Tkachuk said. "I've received your message."

Matthew Tkachuk had a different number in mind. He said he would like to see "10,000 Tkachuk jerseys on the ice" on Wednesday night.

Eight years, a captain's C and a circled date

Tkachuk gave Ottawa a lot of hockey. The Senators drafted him fourth overall in 2018, and he played 572 games over eight seasons with 213 goals, 250 assists and 821 penalty minutes as the team's physical tone-setter. He wore the C for five seasons after succeeding Erik Karlsson as captain.

He said the Boys and Girls Club is a "special place" where he and his wife, Emma, built a lot of meaningful relationships during their years in the city.

"This is the game that's been circled. I'm going to assume I'm not the only one that's had it circled," Tkachuk said. "The place is still special to me. Eight years. I've experienced so much. Became a father and a husband during my time there."

It is not all bad blood. Tkachuk said he expected to have dinner with some former Ottawa teammates on Tuesday night, organized by defenseman Jake Sanderson, his Olympic gold medal teammate.

What to watch Wednesday at Canadian Tire Centre

Florida rolls into Ottawa on a three-game winning streak after an 8-3 win over Seattle on Saturday. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m. ET, and the first Tkachuk shift will tell you everything about how this building feels about him.

Boo him, cheer him, or throw the jersey. Every one that hits the ice ends up helping kids in Ottawa.