Senators add Eklund, Burakovsky to boost offense after trading captain Tkachuk
The Ottawa Senators enter the 2026-27 season with a new look following the high-profile trade of captain Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers. The front office aimed to fill the immediate void by acquiring forward William Eklund from the San Jose Sharks and veteran forward Andre Burakovsky from the Chicago Blackhawks. These moves represent a shift for the franchise as they attempt to balance the roster after losing one of the most productive players in team history.
Management maintains that the team is not entering a rebuilding period despite the departure of a major leader. General Manager Steve Staios confirmed that the organizational goal remains competitive, though the loss of Tkachuk leaves a significant gap in physical presence and scoring. Eklund and Burakovsky will likely take on heavy ice time in the top six to provide necessary offensive support for established players like Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson.
Changes extend to the goaltending and coaching staff as well. Samuel Ersson joins the team to serve as a backup to Linus Ullmark, providing a stable presence in the crease. Additionally, the team must address a coaching vacancy after assistant coach Daniel Alfredsson departed for the Toronto Maple Leafs. These adjustments occur alongside the rise of young defensive prospects like Carter Yakemchuk, who impressed during a brief stint last season and is expected to push for a permanent spot in the upcoming training camp.
As the regular season approaches, observers remain focused on how the team compensates for the lost leadership of Tkachuk and Alfredsson. Veteran players such as Claude Giroux will likely take on more responsibility within the locker room to stabilize the culture. The Senators possess strong individual performers who rank among the top of the league in speed and shot velocity, but their success depends on whether the new arrivals can integrate quickly into the existing system.