Ottawa Senators player William Eklund is facing an extended absence due to an ankle injury, as confirmed by head coach Travis Green on Friday. Eklund had to leave the game against the Philadelphia Flyers after a collision with defenceman Simon Benoit during Ottawa’s 2-1 victory in their home opener on Thursday.
Coach Green did not provide a specific timetable for Eklund’s return to the lineup. The 23-year-old Swedish forward has contributed one goal and one assist in the four games he has played this season.
Eklund was acquired by the Senators in June as part of a trade that involved sending the ninth overall pick in the 2026 draft to San Jose, which was a component of the Brady Tkachuk deal with Florida.
The absence of a key top-six forward like Eklund will be challenging for the Senators, who have started the season with a 3-1-0 record, currently sharing the top spot in the competitive Atlantic Division. Ottawa is set to face the Nashville Predators on Saturday night in their upcoming game.