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NHL trade grades: Senators add Eklund as Tkachuk replacement, Sharks get another top-10 pick

The Ottawa Senators traded their ninth overall 2026 NHL Draft pick to the San Jose Sharks for forward William Eklund, Kasper Halttunen, and Brandon Svoboda. Eklund, whose solo goal against the Boston Bruins was named the best goal of the 2025-26 season, is slated to replace former captain Brady Tkachuk on the wing. Tkachuk was traded to the Florida Panthers this offseason, a move that surprised and angered Senators head coach Travis Green. GM Steve Staios claims the team now possesses the cap flexibility and depth to pursue further acquisitions.

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What changed

Confirmed destination for Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers and coach Travis Green's reaction to the trade.

Live updates

  1. Ottawa Senators Acquire William Eklund as Brady Tkachuk Joins Florida Panthers

    The Ottawa Senators traded their ninth overall 2026 NHL Draft pick to the San Jose Sharks for forward William Eklund, Kasper Halttunen, and Brandon Svoboda. Eklund, whose solo goal against the Boston Bruins was named the best goal of the 2025-26 season, is slated to replace former captain Brady Tkachuk on the wing. Tkachuk was traded to the Florida Panthers this offseason, a move that surprised and angered Senators head coach Travis Green. GM Steve Staios claims the team now possesses the cap flexibility and depth to pursue further acquisitions.

    Why it matters

    This overhaul removes the team captain and adds a high-profile wing replacement and draft assets. The move coincides with Florida's attempt to bounce back with a healthy roster. Ottawa is now positioning itself to be active in the trade market.

    What is confirmed

    • The Ottawa Senators traded the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to the San Jose Sharks for William Eklund, Kasper Halttunen, and Brandon Svoboda.
    • Brady Tkachuk was traded to the Florida Panthers during the NHL offseason.
    • Senators coach Travis Green stated he was surprised and a little bit mad about the Tkachuk trade.
    • The NHL named William Eklund's solo goal against the Boston Bruins the best goal of the 2025-26 season.

    Still unconfirmed

    • GM Steve Staios believes the team has the depth and cap flexibility to pursue players like Kirill Marchenko.

    What to watch next

    • Further trade activity from GM Steve Staios using current cap flexibility
    • Performance of William Eklund in the role previously held by Brady Tkachuk
    Sources used for this update (6)
    1. sports.yahoo.com — Whether It's Kirill Marchenko Or Someone Else, The Senators Are Finally In Position To 'Get In The Game'
    2. sports.yahoo.com — Sizing Up The Atlantic: How Do The Senators Compare To The Florida Panthers?
    3. www.foxsports.com — 2026 MLB Trade Deadline Buzz, Trades Tracker: Skubal Move Likely? Greene Trade?
    4. sports.yahoo.com — Travis Green On Tkachuk's Trade Request: A Little Bit Surprised, A Little Bit Mad
    5. sports.yahoo.com — Senators Newcomer Recognized For NHL's Best Goal Of The Year
    6. www.foxnews.com — Senators coach reveals that even he was surprised by team's blockbuster Brady Tkachuk trade
    confidence 100%

  2. Ottawa Senators Trade Brady Tkachuk to Florida Panthers

    The Ottawa Senators traded captain Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers. In a separate move, Ottawa acquired forward William Eklund, Kasper Halttunen, and Brandon Svoboda from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Eklund, whose solo goal against the Boston Bruins was named the NHL's best goal of the 2025-26 season, is expected to replace Tkachuk on the wing. GM Steve Staios stated last week that the team now possesses the cap flexibility and depth to pursue further acquisitions.

    Why it matters

    The trade removes the team captain from the Senators roster and adds him to a Florida Panthers squad expecting a bounce-back year. Coach Travis Green expressed surprise and anger regarding the move. This shift alters Ottawa's roster depth and financial standing for future trades.

    What is confirmed

    • The Ottawa Senators traded Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers.
    • Ottawa received William Eklund, Kasper Halttunen, and Brandon Svoboda from the San Jose Sharks for the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    • Coach Travis Green stated he was surprised and a little bit mad about the Tkachuk trade.
    • The NHL named William Eklund's solo effort against the Boston Bruins the best goal of the 2025-26 season.

    What to watch next

    • Further roster moves by GM Steve Staios using new cap flexibility
    • Integration of William Eklund into the Senators wing rotation
    Sources used for this update (6)
    1. sports.yahoo.com — Whether It's Kirill Marchenko Or Someone Else, The Senators Are Finally In Position To 'Get In The Game'
    2. sports.yahoo.com — Sizing Up The Atlantic: How Do The Senators Compare To The Florida Panthers?
    3. www.foxsports.com — 2026 MLB Trade Deadline Buzz, Trades Tracker: Skubal Move Likely? Greene Trade?
    4. sports.yahoo.com — Travis Green On Tkachuk's Trade Request: A Little Bit Surprised, A Little Bit Mad
    5. sports.yahoo.com — Senators Newcomer Recognized For NHL's Best Goal Of The Year
    6. www.foxnews.com — Senators coach reveals that even he was surprised by team's blockbuster Brady Tkachuk trade
    confidence 100%

  3. Senators Acquire William Eklund from Sharks

    The Ottawa Senators traded the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to the San Jose Sharks. In return, Ottawa received forward William Eklund, along with Kasper Halttunen and Brandon Svoboda. Eklund is expected to replace Brady Tkachuk on the wing.

    What's confirmed:

    • The Ottawa Senators acquired William Eklund from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    • William Eklund recorded 53 points this season for San Jose.
    • The San Jose Sharks also possess the No. 2 selection.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • Ottawa acquired Kasper Halttunen and Brandon Svoboda as part of the Eklund trade.
    • The Senators intend to use Eklund as a replacement for Brady Tkachuk.
    Sources used for this update (6)
    1. 2025-26 NHL Trade Tracker - NHL.com
    2. Eklund traded to Senators by Sharks for No. 9 pick in 2026 Draft - NHL.com
    3. Senators still haven't made a marquee addition after the NHL Draft. Who ...
    4. NHL trades tracker 2026: Live updates on news, rumors for every deal ...
    5. NHL Trade Analysis Archives - The Hockey Writers
    6. Grading the Senators' Trade for Sharks' William Eklund
    confidence 90%

  4. Senators Acquire William Eklund and Prospects from Sharks

    The Ottawa Senators acquired forwards William Eklund, Kasper Halttunen, and Brandon Svoboda from the San Jose Sharks. In exchange, the Sharks received the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Ottawa intends to use Eklund to fill a wing position following the trade of Brady Tkachuk.

    What's confirmed:

    • The San Jose Sharks acquired the ninth overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft from the Ottawa Senators.
    • The Ottawa Senators acquired forwards William Eklund, Kasper Halttunen, and Brandon Svoboda from the Sharks.
    • William Eklund is 23 years old and is under contract through the 2028-29 season at US$5.6 million annually.
    • Kasper Halttunen is a 21-year-old second-round pick from 2023 who recorded 35 points in 69 AHL games last season.
    • Brandon Svoboda is a 21-year-old third-round pick from 2023 who had 15 points in 35 NCAA games last season with Boston University.
    • The Senators previously obtained the ninth overall pick in a trade that sent Brady Tkachuk to the Panthers.
    Sources used for this update (16)
    1. Sharks acquire the ninth overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft from Ottawa
    2. NHL trade grades: Senators add Eklund as Tkachuk replacement, Sharks get another top-10 pick
    3. Sharks Acquire Ninth Overall Pick, Reunite Eklund with Fabian Zetterlund in Ottawa
    4. Senators acquire William Eklund from Sharks for No. 9 pick
    5. Sharks include Penn-Trafford grad Brandon Svoboda in trade of William Eklund to Senators for No. 9 pick
    6. Senators acquire F Eklund, two prospects from Sharks for 2026 No. 9 pick
    7. Why trading for William Eklund is smart bet for Senators
    8. Former Phantom dealt in major NHL trade
    9. Senators acquire Eklund, prospects from Sharks for ninth-overall pick at 2026 draft
    10. NHL trade grades: Report cards for biggest deals of 2026 offseason
    11. NHL trade grades: Senators add Eklund as Tkachuk replacement, Sharks ...
    12. Trade grades for Sharks, Senators after William Eklund dealt for No. 9 pick
    confidence 100%