Steve Staios throws Brady Tkachuk under the bus.

The general manager of the Ottawa Senators spoke to the media on Monday for the first time since making one of the most shocking trades in recent National Hockey League history, and he didn't mince his words at all when facing some tough questions from the media.

When he took to the podium on Monday Steve Staios was immediately asked about previous statements he had made in which he had stated flatly that he had no appetite for trading his now former captain, Brady Tkachuk, and Staios fired back his response without even a second of hesitation.

"A trade request changed," said Staios officially confirming that Brady Tkachuk did in fact demand a trade. "I would have loved to see it through with Brady, I think we have a very good team, and I think we're moving in the right direction."

When Staios was pushed on the topic of players wanting to play in Ottawa or specific reasons why Tkachuk asked for a trade out of Ottawa, he directed those questions right back towards the player behind the decision.

"I would think that's a better question for Brady," said Staios. "I think that's only fair."

Staios does not view this as a reflection of his team but more so a reflection of this specific situation with this one specific player.

"I'm not concerned," said Staios. "If you're alluding to the fact that people don't wanna play in Ottawa I don't think that's the case. This was a unique situation and clearly as you see where he was transacted to, there is a connection there."

In a surprising twist, Staios revealed that he may have seen this one coming ahead of time given the way Tkachuk played for the Senators down the stretch.

"I think as the year went on I could clearly see that Brady was a bit of a different player from the year before, so probably not overly surprised at that point."

It's hard to argue with that observation with Tkachuk putting up no points while his team was swept at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes, finishing that series with a -4.

Staios made one more huge revelation during his media availability, confirming that Tkachuk put the Senators in an incredibly difficult position and left them with very little options.

"Clearly it was pointed at one team at the end," revealed Staios on Monday.

I can't help but feel these revelations from Staios will cause the already negative reaction from the Senators fan base to intensify even more.