In June 2026, the Florida Panthers acquired Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators. In eight seasons, the 27-year-old has scored 213 goals and 463 points in 572 games, including three 30-goal seasons. Despite his success, including an Olympic Gold Medal, Tkachuk has produced only one point-per-game campaign, in 2022-23, when he had 83 points in 82 games.
During his two preseason contests, he erupted for five points, a pace that he will not be able to maintain during the regular season. Or could he?
Panthers' record for most points by a first-year player is 109
Four years ago, the Panthers acquired Brady’s brother Matthew Tkachuk from the Calgary Flames. Fresh off a 104-point season in Alberta, Matthew lit a fire under the Florida lineup and set a career-high with 109 points, setting the franchise record for most points by a first-year player. That year, Matthew produced at a 1.37 points-per-game pace, a number reserved for the NHL's elite offensive players.
Even though everyone knows that preseason performances don’t mean anything, Panthers fans got a glimpse of what Brady could do with a lineup loaded with Stanley Cup champions. On Tuesday, he’ll make his regular-season debut against the Carolina Hurricanes, a team he already has 12 points against in 20 games. Considering that Florida will look to play spoiler on the Hurricanes' banner ceremony night, Brady is one of the players to watch, since he’s already proven in limited preseason action that he can score, set up teammates, and drop the gloves.
Statistically, Brady would need to maintain a 1.31 points-per-game pace to surpass his brother's team record over the extended 84-game schedule. Given that he’s on Florida’s top line with the team’s all-time assist leader, Aleksander Barkov, the odds could be in Brady’s favor.
Florida players will be hungry like the wolf
Last season was a disaster for the Panthers organization; no player reached 30 goals, and only Sam Reinhart surpassed 60 points. For the first time in almost a calendar year, the entire lineup is healthy, minus Brad Marchand, who should be back sometime in October, and will look to reclaim their throne as the Eastern Conference’s top team. Since the club begins the season on the road with a four-game road trip including three in California, they will look to be a perfect 4-0-0 when they host the Minnesota Wild on October 10.
Of course, a split on the road to begin the season won’t be the end of the world. Even with the media's lofty expectations, it will come down to how the new players adjust to life under Paul Maurice. Brady Tkachuk will be one of those players who could benefit from a hot start under his new head coach, which will go a long way towards having confidence throughout the season when there will be streaks and slumps. Ultimately, his brother’s record isn’t completely out of reach, and watching Brady potentially chase it down could be one of the intriguing storylines to follow in 2026-27.
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