The Ottawa Senators will be without forward William Eklund for an extended stretch, with coach Travis Green confirming Friday that the winger is dealing with an ankle injury.
What Green said
Green told reporters that Eklund is expected to be out an "extended" period of time because of the ankle injury. He was not able to put a number on it. "I don't know exactly how long," Green said, and he did not have a specific timeline for Eklund's return.
There was some encouraging news in the update. Green does not believe Eklund will need surgery, and he expects the forward to return sometime during the regular season.
How it happened
Eklund left the Senators' 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday during the first period. He was hit awkwardly into the boards by Flyers defenseman Simon Benoit. TSN reports he was injured after taking the hit from Benoit while chasing the puck into the corner.
The Senators held on for the 2-1 win, but the team now has to carry on without a player it added in the off-season.
What he has done so far
Eklund has two points, one goal and one assist, in four games this season. Last season he had 15 goals and 53 points in 78 games with the San Jose Sharks.
What led here
Eklund arrived in Ottawa through a pair of moves this summer. In June, the Senators acquired him and two prospects from San Jose in exchange for a first-round pick. In July, ottown's earlier report covered how the team retooled its top six after sending out captain Brady Tkachuk, bringing in Eklund and Andre Burakovsky to keep the offence afloat.
That context is why this injury stands out for Senators followers. Eklund was brought in as part of the plan to fill the gap left by the Tkachuk trade, and he is now sidelined only four games into the season.
What we do not know yet
The team has not announced a return date, and Green did not offer one. Green's comments leave the door open to a return at some point in the regular season, but without a timeline, "extended" is the only word the team has used.
We will update this story when the Senators share more on Eklund's recovery.
Sources: NHL.com, Global News, TSN
