Former NHL enforcer has an interesting take on Brady Tkachuk's role with Panthers
Chris Neil isn't sure Brady Tkachuk lands in Florida's top six, and the former Senators enforcer explained why on Coming In Hot this week.
Brady Tkachuk spent his entire career in Ottawa as the unquestioned leader of the top line, but that role looks a lot different in Florida.
Neil, one of the toughest players to ever wear a Senators sweater, raised the question directly during his appearance on the show Monday.
"Is he even in their top six?"
- Chris Neil
- Chris Neil
Neil pointed out that Tkachuk is walking into a completely different situation than the one he built his identity around in Ottawa.
The Panthers already have a deep, proven lineup, and Neil suggested Tkachuk could end up on the third line rather than driving play the way he always did with the Senators.
Neil knows what it means to adapt
Neil isn't just speculating from the outside.
He dealt with a similar adjustment early in his own Ottawa career, arriving to a lineup already stacked with Hall of Fame talent up front.
Instead of fighting for offensive touches, Neil leaned all the way into the physical, relentless style that eventually got his number retired by the franchise.
That experience seems to shape how he views Tkachuk's next chapter.
Rather than assuming Tkachuk simply slides into a top line spot, Neil expects an adjustment period, and possibly a smaller role than what Ottawa fans grew used to watching.
Neil has no hard feelings
Despite losing arguably the most identifiable player of that Senators era, Neil didn't sound bitter about the trade request.
He acknowledged today's NHL gives players more say in where they end up, and pointed to Tkachuk's connection to his brother Matthew in Florida as a reasonable factor in the decision.
Ottawa will now watch from a distance as Tkachuk tries to find his footing on a contender already loaded with talent.
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