Ottawa filled the hole left by Brady Tkachuk by acquiring left winger William Eklund from San Jose on Tuesday. The deal sent prospect Kasper Halttunen, the rights to Brandon Svoboda and the No. 9 pick in this week’s draft to the Sharks. Eklund arrives as a two‑way, top‑six winger after Ottawa shipped Tkachuk to Florida for a package of future first‑rounders and reset core.

In 2025‑26 Eklund posted 15 goals and 53 points across 78 games for the Sharks. He carries a three‑year deal worth $5.6 million per season, expiring after 2028‑29, with Ottawa retaining control through 2029‑30 before he hits unrestricted free agency. The trade leaves the Senators with roughly $19.6 million of cap space to maneuver, giving Ottawa flexibility this season.

San Jose gives up a former first‑rounder to stockpile three first‑round selections, two of them projected in the top ten. With the No. 2 pick likely theirs, the Sharks eye Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg, who logged 11 goals and 33 points in 43 SHL games. Ottawa now counts on Eklund to replace Tkachuk’s production immediately, to bolster their power play for the playoffs.