The Ottawa Senators suddenly have a hole to patch after William Eklund’s injury, and a familiar name has surfaced as a possible answer.
Eklund was hurt in last week’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers, and the initial hope that he might avoid a lengthy absence has given way to a much tougher reality. The recovery timeline for the torn tendon is estimated at 10 to 12 weeks, which leaves the Senators searching for help.
That search has already led to Patrik Laine. During the pre-game broadcast for Thursday night’s game against the New York Islanders, Bruce Garrioch said Laine’s camp had reached out to Ottawa. The sides talked, though no agreement was reached.
The fit makes some sense, at least on paper. Garrioch pointed to Laine’s power-play value, and that stood out even more after the Senators went 0-for-4 with the man advantage on Thursday night. If Ottawa is looking for someone who can help immediately in that area, Laine checks that box better than most.
The question, of course, is what kind of deal Laine would accept. The feeling is that he wants multi-year security, even after a rough season in Montreal. He’s still only 28, but his game has long been built around a narrow skill set: strong skating, a heavy shot, and limited impact away from the puck.
If he were to settle for a one-year contract around $1 million, though, he could still be a useful piece. That kind of arrangement would put him in a role where he plays 12 to 14 minutes a night, with his even-strength usage likely staying under 10 minutes.
For Ottawa, the appeal is obvious enough. Laine’s value would come mostly with the extra man, where his shot can change a game in a hurry.
Nothing appears close yet, and Garrioch did not suggest a deal was imminent. Still, the fact that Laine’s name is now out there tells you the Senators are at least exploring the lane.
Garrioch framed it simply enough: it’s either Laine or Vladimir Tarasenko at this point. Viewed through that lens, Laine starts to look a lot more interesting.
In Other News...
Senators May Be Running Out Of Time To Fix Backup Goalie Trouble
The Senators backup goaltending situation has become one of those roster puzzles that can linger quietly until it starts to affect everything around it. Samuel Ersson has struggled in limited work this season, and Ottawa has another option in Jonas Johansson, a goalie with NHL experience behind Andrei Vasilevskiy but a track record that has been more serviceable than standout. With the schedule demanding steady support behind the starter, the question is no longer whether the Senators have options, but which one gives them the safest path forward.
What makes the decision trickier is the roster math attached to it. Ottawa has to weigh whether to bring Johansson up and change the mix in goal, knowing the club would need a plan if it wants to move Ersson to Belleville, where waivers come into play. For a team trying to avoid a crease problem turning into a larger depth issue, the next move could say a lot about how aggressively it wants to solve the backup spot before it becomes harder to ignore. [Read more 🡒]
Senators May Have Found An Answer In This Injury Shuffle
William Eklunds injury left Ottawa with a hole to fill, and Travis Green responded by shuffling the forward groups in a way that gave the Senators a different look against the Islanders. Stephen Halliday was bumped to the left side of the top line, while Ridly Greig slid into the middle on the fourth line, a tweak that helped settle the group in a tight game that the Senators eventually won 2-1 in a shootout.
The changes were more than just temporary patchwork, because Ottawa needed some kind of answer after losing a key winger and Greens lineup choices immediately put familiar names in unfamiliar spots. Hallidays promotion and Greigs move down the lineup gave the Senators a new center of gravity on a night when structure mattered, and it will be worth watching whether this alignment sticks as the team tries to navigate the weeks ahead without Eklund. [Read more 🡒]
Brady Tkachuk Just Made His Ottawa Return Even More Personal
Brady Tkachuks latest stretch in Florida has already given his season a very different look. After a slow start, he has ripped off back-to-back hat tricks for the Panthers and, in the wake of his latest performance, spent part of his postgame interview praising Florida fans as the best in the NHL.
Now comes the next layer to the storyline, and it will unfold in Ottawa. Tkachuk is set to make his return to Canadian Tire Centre on Wednesday for his first NHL game in the city as a Panther, a visit that figures to carry some extra edge given the offseason move that sent him south. The reception should be a loud one, and not all of it will be warm. [Read more 🡒]