Senators' Eklund Out Long Term With Ankle Injury After Benoit Hit

The Ottawa Senators will be without one of their most important young forwards for a long stretch. Head coach Travis Green announced Friday that William Eklund will miss an extended period with an ankle injury suffered during Thursday's 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.

Eklund was hurt midway through the first period after taking a hit from Flyers defenseman Simon Benoit while chasing the puck into the corner. The 23-year-old Swede fell awkwardly into the boards, was unable to put any weight on his left leg, and had to be helped down the tunnel by his teammates. He did not return.

Green said Eklund is not expected to need surgery and should return at some point during the season, though he offered no timetable. Further testing on the ankle was done Friday morning.

It is a brutal blow for a Senators team off to a 3-1-0 start despite already missing star defenseman Jake Sanderson. Eklund, acquired from the San Jose Sharks in June along with two prospects for the ninth overall pick, had a goal and an assist in his first four games in Ottawa and was skating on the top line alongside Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson.

The Senators host the Nashville Predators on Saturday and will need others to fill the void in their top six.