Overview
- Eklund suffered the ankle injury during the Oct. 8 game against the Philadelphia Flyers and underwent surgery that reporters say will keep him sidelined about 10–12 weeks.
- The 24-year-old winger had recorded a goal and an assist in four games with Ottawa before the injury and signed a three-year, $16.8 million contract with a $5.6 million cap hit after the 2024–25 season.
- Ottawa acquired Eklund from the San Jose Sharks at the June draft as part of the transaction tied to Brady Tkachuk’s move to Florida, making him a planned top-six piece for the Senators.
- The club is already managing other absences — Jake Sanderson and Andre Burakovsky remain sidelined — even as Artem Zub and Cameron Crotty were reported available to return to the lineup.
- Expect short-term lineup reshuffling and possible roster moves to cover Eklund’s minutes, with the team’s on-ice balance and scoring depth the main things to watch over the next three months.