{"id":492497,"date":"2026-06-23T22:24:31","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T02:24:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=492497"},"modified":"2026-06-23T22:28:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T02:28:14","slug":"william-eklund-trade-ottawa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/06\/23\/william-eklund-trade-ottawa\/","title":{"rendered":"The William Eklund Trade is a Step In Right Direction for Sens"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Ottawa Senators<\/a> were quickly able to turn around their trade assets from the Brady Tkachuk<\/a> departure draft pick haul. Using the 2026 ninth-overall draft selection to trade for and acquire William Eklund from the San Jose Sharks<\/a> is an interesting and efficient move. The Sens also received forward prospects Kasper Halttunen<\/a> and Brandon Svoboda<\/a> in the deal. Let’s see how this impacts the Sens roster management for the rest of the 2026 offseason.<\/p>\n

<\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n

Credit Image: \u00a9 Dinno Kovic\/Southcreek\/ZUMAPRESS.com<\/span><\/p>\n

The William Eklund<\/a> Trade Boost for Sens Lineup<\/h2>\n

Remember that this is a Sens team, that despite the loss of Brady Tkachuk<\/a>, they still intend on contending at the NHL level in a very competitive Atlantic Division. General manager Steve Staios<\/a> was forced to move decisively, otherwise potentially losing the belief in the locker room. It was notably a tough situation to be put in, when your captain requests a trade. Hopefully, the team remains supportive of the process, but we do think they will.<\/p>\n

In the acquisition for Ottawa today, William Eklund trade ranking checks highly on a lot of the boxes. He’s a young scorer, who has impressed with his development in San Jose. If he can find chemistry on the Sens roster, he will be a threat to put up big points. Eklund has scored 50 goals, 113 assists, and 163 points all in 252 career regular season games. Furthermore, he plays 18:47 of average ice time throughout his career. There’s a lot to like in him.<\/p>\n

There Are Only So Many Options<\/h3>\n

Just who else the Sens are potentially going to add for their player lineup is tricky. Mason McTavish<\/a> has been rumoured that does have some potential. He grew up in Ottawa is one strong connection. In addition, Alex Tuch<\/a> is still available and apparently going to test free agency. After it seems that Jason Robertson’s agent kind of turned down notions of his client coming to the Canadian Capital. For now<\/em>. The Sens clearly want to add high-end scoring, maybe Jake DeBrusk<\/a> is a name worth exploring. You want speed and toughness and Bobby McMann already signed.<\/p>\n

\n

Mason McTavish To Ottawa? Again? Why The Trade Rumours Have Returned @TheHockeyNews<\/a> #GoSensGo<\/a> #SensNation<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/iDFLvaCBxh<\/a><\/p>\n

— Steve Warne (@SteveWarneMedia) May 31, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n