William Eklund is done for 10 to 12 weeks after tearing a tendon in his ankle last week against the Flyers. The Senators forward underwent surgery to repair the damage, sidelining him for the rest of the regular season and into the playoffs depending on where Ottawa finishes.
This is a serious blow for a team trying to climb the Eastern Conference. Eklund has been a consistent contributor for the Senators, and losing him for this long forces the rest of the roster to carry heavier weight down the stretch. The surgery was necessary, but the timeline is long enough that Eklund won't be back until deep into March or April, depending on recovery.
Ottawa now has to recalibrate expectations. Their depth will be tested. Other forwards need to step up and fill the production gap. This kind of injury, especially to a younger player's ankle, also adds uncertainty. Eklund might be back on the ice within that window, but recovery from tendon surgery isn't always straightforward.
The Senators can't afford to wait around for his return. They need to win games now.