Billionaire owner Michael Andlauer recently looked back on last season’s “Brady Tkachuk tampering” drama.

Andlauer, who bought the Senators in 2023 for $950 million and is worth an estimated $1.2 billion, sparked the controversy by suggesting that some teams were engaging in “soft tampering” with his captain by openly talking about wanting him.

Senators Owner Michael Andlauer Opens Up About the Brady Tkachuk Tampering Talk

The rumors gained momentum after a December 2024 report by The New York Post claimed that the New York Rangers had targeted Tkachuk in trade discussions. Andlauer quickly shut that down, insisting Ottawa never considered moving him and accusing teams of trying to stir things up. The Rangers denied the report, while Tkachuk brushed it aside and reiterated that he’s committed to staying in Ottawa.

Speaking on Monday, Andlauer explained what he meant at the time. “I just speak from the hip,” he said. “I should think before I say something. All I wanted to do is express how I care about my players. I always look at it from the vantage point of the person saying it but also the person hearing it”.

He added that the media plays a huge role in shaping what fans believe, as it serves as the eyes and ears of the fanbase, and whatever they report quickly becomes the narrative. He stressed, “I look for transparency, but I also want to protect our players.”

Last season’s playoff appearance likely helped put the Tkachuk rumors to rest. Some teams had wondered whether he’d grow frustrated if Ottawa kept missing the postseason.

But Andlauer said he’s never seen anything from Tkachuk that suggested he was unhappy. “He’s just such a competitor. That’s what you want. He’s ‘A’ type. He wears it on his sleeve, like a lot of our great players do. They care.”

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Andlauer also provided an update on the Senators’ planned new arena in LeBreton Flats, near downtown Ottawa. He stressed that the project is much bigger than just a new rink; it’s a full redevelopment that would include restaurants, shops, hotels, and condos, meaning it will take years to bring to life.

He believes the project would be transformative for both the team and the city, driving major economic growth and revitalizing the area. “So I’m excited about it,” Andlauer said. “The timeline is to be determined still, but we’re moving forward.”

While still early in the process, Andlauer says progress is steady. Once completed, the new arena could finally give the franchise the stability and financial boost it’s been missing.