It looks like the Ottawa Senators are gearing up for some intriguing changes on their top line, with the recent addition of forward William Eklund. Unless GM Steve Staios has a big surprise up his sleeve in free agency, Eklund is set to join Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson as the No. 1 left winger when training camp kicks off. Head coach Travis Green will make the final call, but the early buzz is all about this potential lineup.
The Makings of a Lethal Trio
Pairing up with a player like Tim Stutzle means you need to bring your A-game, and Eklund seems ready to do just that. "Obviously, (he’s) a great player," Eklund remarked about Stutzle during a Zoom call, acknowledging the opportunity to skate alongside such talent.
At 23, Eklund comes from the San Jose Sharks, bringing his smooth skating and playmaking prowess to Ottawa. Though not the biggest guy on the ice at 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, his agility and vision make him a formidable presence.
Size might not be their strongest suit, but as the Carolina Hurricanes' second line showed in the playoffs, tenacity often trumps size. With players like Jackson Blake, Logan Stankoven, and Taylor Hall, the Hurricanes' line was a whirlwind of speed and skill, consistently forcing turnovers and finding open ice. Similarly, Stutzle, Eklund, and Batherson have the potential to wreak havoc in the offensive zone with their relentless puck pursuit and creativity.
Eklund might not be known for bone-crushing hits, but his ability to navigate tight spaces and fearlessness in front of the net make him a valuable asset. This trio could become a nightmare for opponents, dancing around in the offensive zone and creating scoring opportunities.
The Need for Firepower
The Senators are on the hunt for some serious scoring power, especially after a tough playoff series against the Hurricanes, where they managed just five goals. The urgency for a scoring winger intensified when captain Brady Tkachuk, a consistent 30-goal scorer, made the shocking decision to leave the team.
Eklund, however, isn't exactly known for his goal-scoring prowess. His career-high in the NHL is 17 goals, which he hit in the 2024-25 season, and he tallied 15 last year. Sharks fans noted his struggles last season, pointing to an 8.5 shooting percentage and a wrist injury from the 2025 world championship that might have affected his shot.
Despite these challenges, Eklund is determined to improve. "Obviously, when you have to rehab for three months and then get ready in one month, it’s a little different off-season compared to this one," Eklund explained, emphasizing that he's now fully healthy and ready for a fresh start.
He acknowledged the need to work on his shot, stating, "For me, myself, it’s always been my shot. That’s something I need to improve, and that’s something I’m working on every day."
Eklund's move to Ottawa presents a golden opportunity to elevate his game. The Senators have given him a big chance, and he's eager to make the most of it. With a focus on becoming a more complete player, Eklund aims to fill the scoring gap and help drive the Sens forward in the upcoming season.
In Other News...
Zach Werenski Trade Buzz Just Put Blue Jackets Fans On Edge
The latest round of trade chatter has put an old Ottawa headache back in the spotlight, even if the Senators are only watching from the sidelines. Brady Tkachuks future has been a topic before, and the recent reporting around his contract situation only adds another layer to a summer in which big names and big decisions keep colliding across the league.
There is also a familiar Eastern Conference edge to the noise, with Zach Werenskis name now part of the conversation as multiple teams circle and no-move clauses come into play. For Ottawa fans, it is the kind of league-wide drama that can still matter close to home, because every star who becomes available changes the market around them and raises the stakes for the Senators own long-term plans. [Read more 🡒]
Staios Just Put Ottawas Entire Rebuild On The Line
Kyle Staios has already put a very different stamp on Ottawas rebuild, reshaping the roster in a way that signals urgency as much as patience. The Senators president of hockey operations and general manager has added William Eklund, Samuel Ersson and Andre Burakovsky while talking up the teams defensive progress and the identity Travis has been trying to build behind the bench.
Burakovsky stands out as the kind of move Ottawa does not make lightly, a calculated swing on a player the club studied closely because of his experience and past success. Even with that work done and the roster clearly changed, the bigger question hanging over the Senators is how much the group has really shifted in the wake of losing Brady Tkachuk, and whether the next step forward still looks the same from here. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Face A Massive Artem Zub Decision This Offseason
Artem Zubs value to Ottawa showed up all season, from the steady minutes he logged to the way he and Jake Sanderson quietly formed one of the leagues most effective defensive pairs. Zub also delivered the most productive year of his career in 81 games, giving the Senators a right-shot defender who brought structure at even strength and enough offense to make his role even more important heading into the offseason.
Now comes the hard part for the Senators, who are expected to open talks on a new deal that could run four or five years. The number attached to that conversation is not small, with the sides likely circling a range in the neighborhood of $6 million to $6.5 million per season, a price that reflects both Zubs importance and the reality that Ottawa has to decide how much it wants to invest in keeping that pairing intact for the long haul. [Read more 🡒]