William Eklund’s night ended early for the Ottawa Senators, and it could leave them scrambling at the top of the lineup.
The winger left Thursday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers in the first period with a lower-body injury after taking a hit from Flyers defenseman Simon Benoit along the boards just under eight minutes into the game.
That’s a worrying turn for a player Ottawa brought in to bring real punch to the wing. Eklund arrived in an offseason that already featured major movement in Canada’s capital, where former captain Brady Tkachuk requested a trade and ultimately landed with his brother Matthew on the Florida Panthers.
General manager Steve Staios made Eklund one of the headline additions, acquiring him from the San Jose Sharks for the No. 9 overall pick in June’s NHL Draft. The Sharks had originally selected Eklund seventh overall in 2021, and he’s now in the first season of a three-year deal carrying a $5.6 million cap hit.
The Swedish forward has been one of San Jose’s more consistent producers in recent years, posting at least 45 points in each of his last three seasons with the club. That stretch included 58 points in 2024-25 and 53 points in 2025-26.
Ottawa had Eklund on the first line with Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson, and he’d already produced two points - a goal and an assist - in three games. Thursday’s matchup was also the Senators’ home opener after a three-game road trip to start the season.
Ottawa opened with wins over the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins, then dropped Tuesday night’s game to the Detroit Red Wings to sit at 2-1-0.
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Senators Win Came With A New Injury Concern Fans Will Hate
The Senators kept the good feeling rolling in their home opener, edging the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 to move to 3-1-0 on the season. Carter Yakemchuk provided the decisive moment with the power-play goal in the third period, and Linus Ullmark was steady in net with 28 saves as Ottawa protected a one-goal lead down the stretch.
Still, the win came with a new worry for a team trying to build early momentum. Newcomer William Eklund went down in the first period with a lower-body injury after taking a clean hit from Simon Benoit and did not return, leaving Ottawa to wait and see how serious the issue might be. For a club that already has a lot to like in the standings, the health check on Eklund is the part fans will be watching next. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Home Opener Will Honor A Beloved Figure Fans Never Forgot
The Senators will open their home schedule Thursday night by pausing to recognize a name that still means plenty in Ottawa. Ray Emery, the fiery goaltender who backstopped the club during its 2006-07 run to the Stanley Cup Final, will be honored before the game against the Philadelphia Flyers, giving fans a chance to remember one of the key figures from that era.
Emery died eight years ago, but his connection to the franchise has never really faded for supporters who watched that playoff run unfold. His family will take part in the ceremonial bell ringing before puck drop, a fitting touch for a night that is as much about memory as it is about the start of a new season at home. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Opener Created A Situation Flames Fans Need To Watch
The Senators home opener had the kind of early-season edge that can tell you plenty about where a team is headed, even in a 2-1 win over the Flyers. Ottawa got the result it needed, and rookie defenceman Carter Yakemchuk played a central role in it, but the game also carried some familiar October concerns. Offensive rhythm was uneven at times, and the lineup had to absorb another adjustment when rookie blueliner Hoyt Stanley made his NHL debut after stepping in for an ill teammate.
There was also an injury scare for William Eklund, whose exit early in the game added to the uncertainty around Ottawas forward group. Even so, the Senators found a way to finish the night with their third win in four games, which is the kind of start teams will take while they sort out the details. For a club trying to build some early momentum, the bigger question now is how long it can keep surviving nights that ask this much of its depth. [Read more 🡒]