"Fines incoming" "It's called rumors": NHL fans left divided over Rangers' statement to 'irresponsible accusation' by Sens owner Michael Andlauer

NHL fans are divided after the New York Rangers responded to Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer’s comments. On Monday, Andlauer called a report from the New York Post about the Rangers targeting Brady Tkachuk as “soft tampering.” He did not mention the Rangers but made it clear he was unhappy with the report published on Friday..

The Rangers quickly dismissed the accusation.

“This is an irresponsible accusation and we defer to the commissioner’s office,” the Rangers said in a statement on Monday, via Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli.

The news spread quickly on X, with fans sharing their thoughts.

"sens are soooooofttt ... it's called rumors...Brooks makes crap up all the time," a fan tweeted.

“Fines incoming,” another fan said.

"Putting out rumours of players that aren’t available and making it seem like there’s a deal in place and making false rumours that impact a player when there shouldn’t be any is tampering," one fan said.

Here are some more fan reactions on X:

"Put Larry Brookes' phone (Nokia 9010) into evidence," one fan wrote.

"Nothing would make me Happier than the #NYR Rangers losing a first round Pick b/c of Larry Brooks writing one of his B.S. Stories. The guy has been doing it for years," another fan said.

"I believe Ottawa in this instance. Larry Brooks was releasing stories saying Brady Tkachuk was their target... he obviously heard it from somewhere," one fan said.

"I don’t blame him for being pissed. The second he got the team, he lost a 1st round pick without being told beforehand, Pinto got a 41 game suspension without being told of the investigation, and now the NYR are putting out fake rumours to try and lure a player off his team," a fan wrote.

It remains to be seen if the NHL will take further action.

Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer is clearly unhappy with Rangers' rumors

Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer said the Senators have not discussed trading Tkachuk to any team.

"If indeed (Brooks is) being fed false information, or people are giving this information from another NHL organization, I don't know — we just had a big memo about tampering from the NHL," Andlauer said, via The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun on Monday. "I might consider that soft tampering."

Andlauer added that this wasn’t the first time he had to address rumors about Tkachuk. He plans to discuss the matter with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. Tkachuk has 13 goals and 29 points in 27 games this season.