William Eklund’s absence is going to be longer than originally hoped. Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch reported that the Senators forward will be out 10-12 weeks after undergoing successful surgery on Wednesday to repair a torn tendon in his ankle.
Ottawa brought Eklund in this summer in a pre-draft deal with San Jose that included the ninth overall pick, and the young forward had already started to build on a strong NHL track record. After back-to-back seasons of more than 50 points, he opened this year with two points in four games before the injury stopped him in his tracks. For now, the Senators will have to wait a while before he can add to that total.
In Boston, Bruins center Pavel Zacha left last night’s game against Anaheim with what was described as an undisclosed injury, according to WEEI’s Scott McLaughlin. The issue came around the middle of the third period after a hit from Drew Helleson, and there was no update after the game on how serious it might be.
Zacha has put himself in position to be one of the top unrestricted free agent centers next summer if he does not re-sign first, coming off a breakout 65-point season. He has also gotten off to a solid start this year, with five points in eight games.
The Lightning’s Aiden Foster is also changing teams, though this move comes in the WHL rather than the NHL. Prince George announced it has sent the forward to Brandon in exchange for four draft picks.
Tampa Bay selected Foster in the fourth round in 2025, taking him 127th overall. Last season he put up 35 points and 113 penalty minutes in 65 games, and he has started this year with more offense, scoring five goals in four games before the trade.
Because he was drafted before the new CBA took effect, the Lightning have until June 1st to sign him or they will lose his rights. If he chooses the college route before then, though, those signing rights would be pushed back.
There’s also movement in Buffalo’s prospect pipeline. Sabres goalie prospect Topias Leinonen has been cleared after the lower-body injury he suffered in training camp, and AHL Rochester announced that Buffalo has loaned him there.
Leinonen, 22, was a second-round pick in 2022, going 41st overall. His first year in North America was interrupted by injuries and limited him to 15 games between Rochester and ECHL Jacksonville, with a save percentage below league average at both stops. Now healthy again, he’ll try to get things turned around, even if the missed time from camp makes that a tougher ask.
In Other News...
Sabres Escape Road Trip With A Point But One Issue Still Hurts
The Sabres left Montreal with a point after their third straight road game, and there was enough in the performance to suggest the trip was not a total loss. Buffalo managed to rally in the third period to force overtime, and the lineup tinkering along the way gave the coaching staff a few things to sort through, including an early look at Ryan McLeod on the top line with Tage Thompson shifted to the wing. Jack Quinn continued his strong start with a goal and a notable defensive play, while the teams special teams again made life harder than it needed to be.
Still, the bigger concern from the road swing remains the same one that has followed this group for stretches of the season. Buffalo found a way to earn four of six possible points away from home without Rasmus Dahlin, but the power play and penalty kill did not give the club the kind of cushion it needed in a tight game. The late adjustments helped unlock the comeback, yet the Sabres are left knowing there is more work to do if they want those close road nights to turn into wins. [Read more 🡒]
Sabres Scoring Surge Cant Hide Buffalos Biggest Early Problem
Buffalos recent offensive uptick has given the Sabres some much-needed life, but it has not been enough to cover up the bigger issue sitting behind it. Even as the goals have started to come more regularly, the overall shape of the team still looks fragile, with the defense struggling to hold up its end and too many chances turning into problems the other way.
The absence of captain Rasmus Dahlin has only sharpened the concern, because Buffalo has looked even less stable without its top defenseman on the ice. Add in the uneven play from Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Colten Ellis in net, and the Sabres are left with a familiar early-season dilemma: the scoring can keep them in games, but unless the defensive side improves, it will be hard to make the surge matter in the standings. [Read more 🡒]
Sabres Suddenly Have A Goalie Market Twist Worth Watching
A few goaltending ripples around the league suddenly matter to the Sabres, even if the biggest names involved are wearing other sweaters. Connor Hellebuyck is set to become eligible to rejoin Winnipeg after his suspension ends on Oct. 23, and the situation around his return is drawing plenty of attention because the reception has not been universally smooth. For Buffalo, it is the kind of development that can shift the market quickly, especially when clubs are trying to sort out their crease early in the season.
There is also movement elsewhere that could change the way the Sabres shop for help. Dylan Larkin has reportedly asked the Red Wings for a trade, with a deal said to be close, while the Maple Leafs are looking hard for a major defense upgrade and appear willing to pay premium assets to get one. When teams at different points on the contention ladder start making aggressive moves, it tends to create dominoes, and Buffalo has to keep an eye on whether the goalie market becomes more crowded or more expensive in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]