Ottawa Senators Face a Lengthy Absence for William Eklund, With Andre Burakovsky Nearing a Return

The Ottawa Senators’ early-season depth picture took a hit with William Eklund set to miss an extended period due to a severe ankle injury, according to Yahoo Sports. The timing matters for a team trying to stabilize its forward rotation week to week, because an absence of that length forces coaches to lean more heavily on the remaining bottom-six options and spot-usage players.

Eklund, a forward whose role typically includes shifting between offensive support and defensive responsibility, now has to shift from game-day preparation to recovery. While the exact timetable was not detailed in the report, the characterization of the injury as a prolonged one indicates that the Senators should plan for weeks, not days, without his availability.

At the same time, Ottawa may get help from a different direction. Yahoo Sports reported that Andre Burakovsky is close to returning from injury, which would add back a veteran forward who can influence games in the offensive zone and help reduce the workload on teammates filling in for Eklund’s minutes.

This creates a specific kind of roster tension: Ottawa may be forced to operate with fewer forward options in the near term, but the prospect of Burakovsky’s return gives the coaching staff a potential pivot point. In practice, that can change who plays more often in the middle six, who draws the most difficult matchups, and how the Senators manage line continuity as they adjust to the absence.

For Senators fans, the key concern is continuity. Losing a forward for an extended stretch typically affects not only ice time distribution but also the way teams generate chemistry, especially along the boards and in transition. If Ottawa’s lines shuffle too frequently while also waiting on Burakovsky to come back, the Senators could feel it in execution, even if individual players are doing their jobs.

For Burakovsky, the focus is on timing and readiness. The report’s framing of him being “close” suggests he is progressing, but it does not establish a confirmed return date. When a player is that near to returning, the team usually prioritizes careful ramp-up, which can still leave Ottawa juggling its lineup even after he returns to practice or the lineup.

What to watch next is whether Ottawa provides any further clarification on Eklund’s recovery window and whether Burakovsky’s return becomes official. The Senators’ ability to manage the transition between an Eklund-less lineup and a potential Burakovsky return could determine how steady their forward depth looks in the weeks ahead.