The Ottawa Senators have acquired forward William Eklund and two prospects from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for the ninth-overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the teams announced Wednesday.
Trade details
In addition to Eklund, the Senators receive forward Igor Chernyshov and defenseman Luca Cagnoni. The Sharks will select ninth overall in the 2026 draft, which is considered deep in talent.
Eklund, 23, was selected seventh overall by the Sharks in 2021. He has 45 goals and 98 assists for 143 points in 232 career NHL games. This season, he posted 18 goals and 34 assists for 52 points in 74 games.
Sharks' perspective
San Jose general manager Mike Grier said the trade was about building for the future. “We felt the ninth-overall pick gives us an opportunity to add a high-end piece to our prospect pool,” Grier said. “We thank William for his contributions and wish him well in Ottawa.”
The Sharks are in a rebuild after finishing near the bottom of the standings for the third straight season.
Senators' outlook
Ottawa general manager Steve Staios said Eklund fills an immediate need. “William is a skilled, two-way forward who can play in our top six and on the power play,” Staios said. “We believe he will be a key part of our core moving forward.”
The Senators are looking to return to the playoffs after missing the postseason for the past five years.
Prospects included
Chernyshov, 20, was a second-round pick by the Sharks in 2023. He has 22 goals and 30 assists in 58 AHL games this season. Cagnoni, 21, was a third-round pick in 2022 and has 10 goals and 28 assists in 55 AHL games.
The trade is the first major move of the 2026 offseason, which begins after the Stanley Cup Final.
