Brady Tkachuk's Ottawa Return Just Got Even More Embarrassing

Brady Tkachuk apparently couldn't resist taking a shot at his former teammates during his much-anticipated return to Ottawa, and the latest revelation from Senators owner Michael Andlauer makes the Florida Panthers captain's disastrous night even more entertaining.

Speaking on the Coming in Hot Senators podcast, Andlauer revealed that Tkachuk chirped the Ottawa bench after scoring the opening goal of last Wednesday's game at Canadian Tire Centre.

According to Andlauer, Tkachuk skated past the Senators' bench and shouted, "Some things never change, eh boys?"

Unfortunately for Tkachuk, he was about to find out just how much things had changed.

The former Senators captain gave Florida a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal in the first period, converting a pass from his brother, Matthew. But instead of celebrating a memorable return with a victory, Tkachuk watched as Ottawa completely turned the game around. The Senators scored five unanswered goals to cruise to a convincing 5-1 victory, handing the Panthers a humbling defeat in a game that was supposed to be all about their newest star returning to his old stomping grounds.

And the worst part for Tkachuk? His opening goal ended up being the only time he or his teammates had anything to celebrate.

Ottawa responded with goals from Tim Stützle, Claude Giroux, Shane Pinto, Warren Foegele and Stephen Halliday. The Senators didn't just erase Florida's lead; they thoroughly outplayed the Panthers, scoring twice while shorthanded in the third period to put the finishing touches on the blowout.

Tkachuk's decision to chirp his former teammates looks particularly foolish in hindsight. There's nothing wrong with a little trash talk in hockey, but when you score the opening goal and immediately start talking as though you've got the game figured out, you had better be prepared to back it up.

Instead, the Senators had the last laugh.

And perhaps that's what makes this entire situation so fitting. Tkachuk spent years as Ottawa's captain, but his departure left plenty of hard feelings among the fan base, particularly after he made it clear he wasn't going to re-sign with the organization. His return was already an emotional affair, with fans booing him throughout the night.

Now, thanks to Andlauer's revelation, we know Tkachuk added fuel to the fire himself.

For a player who once claimed he wanted to win a Stanley Cup in Ottawa, the entire episode is a pretty remarkable way to close that chapter. He left the Senators, scored an early goal against them, talked some trash and then watched his new team get dismantled.

If Tkachuk wanted to prove that some things never change, perhaps he should have looked at the scoreboard before opening his mouth.