Hockey

Senators’ William Eklund Faces Extended Absence With Ankle Injury

By Hugo Brennan

Senators’ William Eklund Faces Extended Absence With Ankle Injury

Ottawa’s 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers came with a costly injury Thursday, as forward William Eklund is expected to miss an extended stretch with an ankle issue.

Eklund leaves after first-period collision

  1. Eklund was driven awkwardly into the boards by Philadelphia defenseman Simon Benoit during the opening period.
  2. The 23-year-old forward could not put weight on his left leg while heading to the Senators’ dressing room.
  3. He did not return to the game, though Ottawa held on for the 2-1 victory.
  4. Coach Travis Green said Friday that Eklund’s absence will be lengthy, but added that surgery is not expected and that he anticipates Eklund returning before the regular season ends.

“I don’t know exactly how long,” Green said of the timetable.

Eklund has posted one goal and one assist through four games this season. The former No. 7 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft has recorded 165 points, including 51 goals, across 256 regular-season games with the San Jose Sharks and Senators. He has cleared the 45-point mark in each of the past three seasons.

Ottawa’s injury picture

The Senators received a few more encouraging signs at Friday’s optional skate. Forward Andre Burakovsky and defenseman Kurtis MacDermid, both working through upper-body injuries, took part in the session.

Green said Burakovsky is nearing a return and could be available when Ottawa hosts the Nashville Predators on Saturday. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET, with coverage on SN1, TVAS-D and SCRIPPS.

  • Andre Burakovsky: close to returning; possible for Saturday against Nashville.
  • Kurtis MacDermid: participated in Friday’s optional practice while dealing with an upper-body injury.
  • Jake Sanderson: expected to rejoin the club within the next several days; no confirmed return date because of an undisclosed injury.
  • Artem Zub: expected back with the team in the coming days as he recovers from a knee injury; no set date for game action.

With Eklund sidelined for the foreseeable future, Ottawa will need to cover minutes and offense from a winger who had started the season with two points in four outings.