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Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk – (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

NHL Rumours: Brady & Matthew Tkachuk, Parekh, Flyers

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Jacob Billington | Last updated Apr 6, 2025 1:15 PM ET

In today’s NHL rumors rundown, both Brady and Matthew Tkachuk missed the game between the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers, and we have an injury update on both of them. Elsewhere, the Calgary Flames may have a plan in place to bring defensive prospect Zayne Parekh in prior to the end of their season. Finally, it sounds like the Philadelphia Flyers could look to move some of their draft picks for some younger players who could help out sooner rather than later.

Tkachuk Brothers Both Out With Injury

Watching the Senators and Panthers is a circled game on the calendar for many. Seeing the Tkachuk brothers face-off is always entertaining but on Apr. 5, neither of them played. Both are out with injury, but could both be ready for Game 1 of the playoffs.

Brady Tkachuk has been sidelined for three games already, and isn’t expected to play on Apr. 6 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He missed two games after the 4 Nations Face-Off with a lower-body injury, and it could be what is ailing him still. He hasn’t looked to be 100 percent since then, and it has been noted that he is dealing with a hip issue. In his last game played, he had a collision with Ryan Graves of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and was slow to get to the bench, so that could have either rushed the existing injury further, or it could be a whole new one keeping him out.

Regardless of what the injury is, Elliotte Friedman spoke on 32 Thoughts and said that the Senators aren’t too concerned about Tkachuk’s injury. It is being taken on a game-by-game basis, but considering the Senators are on the verge of clinching a playoff berth, they will want Tkachuk as healthy as possible for Game 1.

As for Matthew Tkachuk, after being injured in the 4 Nations Face-Off, he has yet to return to the Panthers’ lineup. The hope was that he would be ready to go for the start of the playoffs, but head coach Paul Maurice stated that he is “still a ways away” from playing, but the start of the playoffs is an important date in the timeline, and they still have hope for him to be ready for then.

The Panthers are also without Aleksander Barkov, but he is only expected to miss another handful or games. The Panthers came out of the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament with a loss, followed by six straight wins. Since then, they have struggled quite a bit, having just four wins in their last 12 games. Everybody knows that once the playoffs hit, the Panthers can’t be counted out, but they are banking on a healthy lineup right now.

Flames Ready to Bring in Parekh

After one of the most productive seasons in the Ontario Hockey League from a defenseman in quite some time, Parekh and the Saginaw Spirit have been eliminated from the playoffs, and there could be a contract coming any time now.

Friedman reported on the Saturday Headlines segment that the Flames are ready to bring him in and have him play out the rest of the season with them. After scoring 33 goals and 107 points in 61 games, he has become one of the top prospects outside of the league, and with the Flames looking to make one last push, that offense could be a huge help to them if he fits in well.

The Flames have a number of prospects who have been performing well this season, but with Parekh, who they drafted ninth overall in 2024, he could really be a game-changer.

Flyers Prepared to Trade Picks for Young Players

As the season starts to come to a close, talks about the offseason are starting to pick up for some of the teams at the bottom of the standings. The Flyers are no exception, and with seven draft picks in the first two rounds of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, they are in a prime position to move some of that draft capital for players.

After admittedly overperforming last season and making a valiant push for the playoffs, the Flyers are back where they were expected to be near the bottom of the league. They are amidst a rebuild, and draft picks and young players is what a team like this needs.

Having three first-round picks is a luxury, and with a decent prospect pool, they could look at adding some players to the roster as well. The biggest hole in the lineup is a true first-line center to play alongside Matvei Michkov.

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic spoke with general manager Daniel Briere, and Briere mentioned that while it is exciting to have the draft picks, they aren’t just picks, but they are assets too. (from NHL rumblings: Postseason salary cap to be discussed in CBA negotiations, plus Flyers’ plan for draft capital, The Athletic, April 4, 2025)

LeBrun asked if they would be willing to move a first-round pick, and Briere responded by saying ““Yes, absolutely, we’re open to different things…you need to two to tango, and you can’t do that by yourself. But yes, if there are teams that are interested in doing that type of deal, yes …”

They are looking to get better, and every general manager has a different way of doing that. Time will tell what the Flyers will do in the offseason, but is seems as if nothing is off the table in terms of their efforts to improve.