Overview
- The Senators traded captain Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers on June 21 in exchange for three first-round picks and a second-round pick.
- The club announced a time-limited “Chuk Out the Old Jersey” promotion redeemable July 3–7 at Ottawa Team Threads at Canadian Tire Centre that accepts only officially licensed Fanatics-stitched Tkachuk jerseys for a 40% discount on new, regularly priced merchandise.
- Fans and local media criticized the offer as narrowly applicable because many pre-2024–25 Adidas Tkachuk jerseys do not qualify and qualifying Fanatics-stitched jerseys appear limited in the market.
- The move comes as the Senators completed smaller roster deals — two-year signings/extensions for Nick Cousins and goalie Sam Ersson — and as GM and president of hockey operations Steve Staios has publicly defended the trade process and options presented.
- Because the NHL switched to Fanatics-licensed jerseys starting in 2024–25, the promotion highlights how licensing shifts affect fan merchandise options and could deepen tensions with supporters who say the discount does not meaningfully address their frustration after Tkachuk’s departure.