William Eklund Opens Up About Trade to Senators and Ankle Injury Recovery
William Eklund Discusses Trade and Ankle Injury in Ottawa
Forward William Eklund faces a 10-to-12-week recovery period following ankle surgery on Oct. 8, just four games into his first season with the Ottawa Senators, San Jose Hockey Now reported. The San Jose Sharks traded Eklund in June along with prospects Kasper Halttunen and Brandon Svoboda in exchange for the No. 9 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
The timing of the injury derailed Eklund’s anticipated early-season matchups against his former club, the Sharks, and his younger brother Victor Eklund, who plays for the New York Islanders. Speaking on Thursday morning, Eklund reflected on the business realities of the National Hockey League and his adjustment to a new franchise.
Adjusting to the Business Side After a Major Trade
Eklund stated that watching the Sharks trade Fabian Zetterlund previously served as an eye-opening introduction to how the league operates. When the trade news arrived in June, the initial shock quickly gave way to a positive reception upon learning he was headed to Ottawa alongside Zetterlund.
“It’s my first time getting traded, so you get shocked at first,” Eklund said, as reported by San Jose Hockey Now. “When I heard it was Ottawa, I’ve heard only good things about this group. Right now, as you can tell, it’s very true. It’s a big family in there. We care a lot about each other.”
Recovery and Missing the Matchup Against San Jose
The injury occurred four games into the campaign, halting a strong start that followed a fully healthy summer training regimen. Eklund expressed frustration over missing the chance to face the organization that selected him seventh overall in the 2021 NHL Draft.
“Obviously, didn’t want to be injured, but shit happens in this game,” Eklund said. “Try to recover as fast as I can. You play the game, it’s such a fast game out there. Things like this happen, you get frustrated for sure, but right now it’s just about recovery.”
While rehabilitation sidelines him from the ice, Eklund remains connected to the Senators locker room and monitors the progress of his brother Victor with the Islanders. Recovery milestones will dictate his eventual return to the lineup as Ottawa plays the early months of the schedule without him.