KANATA, Ont. – New Ottawa Senators forward William Eklund will not play against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night at the Canadian Tire Centre. The winger will also not be in the lineup at the end of the month, when the Senators travel to San Jose to face the Sharks at SAP Center.
Eklund is expected to be out several more weeks after recently undergoing surgery to repair torn tendons in his left ankle. Eklund sustained the injury during a game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Oct. 8 when he took a hit from defenseman Simon Benoit.
We spoke to Senators forward and former Shark Fabian Zetterlund about how Eklund, his good friend, has fit in since he came to Ottawa in a June trade with San Jose. The two live near each other in the Ottawa area.
How’s Eklund’ spirits right now?
“No one wants to get injured. But at the same time, it’s part of hockey, It happens, and it happens fast out there, and it’s tough. It’s tough for him, tough for the team to lose a guy like that, and we all feel for him. But he’s already like working out, and his rehab is going well too. He wants to be back soon, but it will take a while.”
He seemed to be fitting in really well with the group here.
“Yeah, really well. He stepped in right away and had no problem with that. He loves it here too, and unfortunately, can’t be out there with us. But he’s still in the locker room every day, and just you can see how hard he works to get back.”
Was there a perception that he would have to replace Brady Tkachuk?
“They’re not the same players at all. Eky is his own (player), and he’s a great hockey player in this league, and he will have a long career in in this league as well. His playing style is great, and he fits perfectly in this group, and it’s fun to watch.”
When the schedule came out, were you guys looking forward to playing the Sharks?
“Yeah. I mean it’s always obviously a fun game playing against your older team. But at the end of the day, it’s just hockey, too. So you have to be prepared like it’s a normal game.”
How’s it been so far for you guys? It seems like things are really starting to gel for the group right now.
“Yeah, we always stuck with it. The whole group wants that. We’ve just continued to go, and we’re growing as well. It’s going to be a fun season ahead of us. We’ve had a good start, just got to continue to go.”
Have you kept an eye on the Sharks at all? That whole roster is completely different, but do you keep an eye on them at all?
“You keep an eye on every team, so I’ve seen them a lot. I watch hockey sometimes, and I see them. I see the scores and all that kind of stuff. So of course, I keep watching them a little bit.
How do you feel about your own game right now?
“I mean, it’s in the right place. I always want more, and always want to be better every day, and that’s my main focus.”