The first day of Ottawa Senators training camp on-ice activities has come and gone. While some of the focus was on the Senators’ leadership group wanting to make the step, the majority was on a pair of Senators offseason acquisitions, and one who joined the team Thursday morning.
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Andre Burakovsky
Acquired on the day of the 2026 Entry Draft from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick, Burakovsky is entering his 13th NHL season. A two-time Stanley Cup winner (2018 Washington, 2022 Colorado), the 31-year-old adds another veteran presence to the Senators’ young core.
Five years removed from a career-high 61-point campaign with the Avalanche, Burakovsky is coming off a disappointing 33-point (11 goals, 22 assists) in 75 games. Burakovsky started 2025-26 strong, registering 23 points in the Blackhawks’ first 35 games. A concussion derailed his game briefly, but the Swedish player, born in Klagenfurt, Austria, managed only eight more points over his last 40 games.
Burakovsky noted Thursday that his second-half decrease in production wasn’t from the lack of opportunities.
“When I look back to it, and from my exit meetings I had in Chicago, I still think I played good, even though the production wasn’t there. If you looked at (analytic) stats, how much I created, it didn’t change. I still created just as much as I did before. It gets a little frustrating at that point when you feel like you’re there and you’re playing good and the results aren’t coming. But I mean, for me right now, that’s in the past. I’m in a new organization, new teammates, everything.”
On Day One of camp, Burakovsky found himself skating on the left side of the Ottawa’s top line alongside Tim Stützle and freshly-extended Drake Batherson.
Burakovsky felt comfortable in his first practice in a Senators uniform.
“Obviously, two really skilled, hardworking guys, unbelievable hockey players. It was fun to play with both of them. I think we found some chemistry on the three-on-twos. I think we found each other pretty good. Scored a couple goals, and no, it was fun.”
Senators head coach Travis Green said prior to training camp, he’ll tinker with line combinations, especially with new players. But it appears Burakovsky gets the first crack skating with the team’s top two scorers.
“I thought he looked good out there. He’s a good hockey player. He’s been in the NHL a long time. As far as what I want to see, I just want to see him play – quite honestly, play well, play hard. No clue where he’s going to play yet, but I think he’s capable of playing up and down the lineup. He’s a big body. You can see he skates well. Shots pop well. So I’m excited that he’s here. You see the potential in him right away. Now it’s up to us to try to get it out of him, and up to him as well,” added the Senators head coach.
Burakovsky has a chance to a buy-low bargain for the Senators. Entering the final year of his contract containing a $5.5 million cap hit, Burakovsky’s actual salary owed this season is $3.75M.
Burakovsky’s dad, Robert, played 23 games for Ottawa in the 1993-94 season.
William Eklund made his much-awaited on-ice debut Thursday. Though it wasn’t in-game action, media including Hockey Hot Stove got their first peek at the Senators prized acquisition. Arriving in Ottawa in a multi-player deal with the San Jose Sharks, Eklund was the key piece acquired by the Senators in exchange for ninth overall 2026 Draft selection picked up general manager Steve Staios from the Florida Panthers in the Brady Tkachuk trade.
Entering his fourth full NHL season, Eklund is known as a dynamic skater, great on his edges, and has potential to be an elite playmaker, a facet of his game of which the Senators have been devoid of for years.
Bestowed the E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence at the 2021 Entry Draft, Eklund was selected seventh overall by the Sharks.
Senators Fabian Zetterlund played on a line with Eklund with San Jose in 2023-24 where he posted his best NHL campaign to date, 24 goals, 20 assists.
Zetterlund was happy to play on the right side of the trio which saw his close friend on the left and Dylan Cozens at centre in Ottawa’s second practice session of the day.
“I mean, we know where we have each other, and we talk a lot out there, so it’s easy. And “Cozie” (Dylan Cozens) fits great there too, so it’s going to be different,” said Zetterlund.
Likewise, Eklund himself was happy to see himself skating on a line with his friend, “It feels great. You know, obviously became really good friends. It made it a little easier for me to to come here. But you know, there’s good guys here, so I’m just happy to be here.”
Turning 24 in less than a month, Eklund relishes an opportunity to make the playoffs with Ottawa, “They’re a really hard team to play against, especially coming here with these guys, seeing these guys grow every year. They’ve been having really good players – have been better and better every year. And you know, I think that’s something that their whole group is really hard to play against.”
Green spoke of his two new additions, “They’re both good skaters. It’s a fast league. If you can’t skate, you’re going to be in trouble. You better be very smart if you’re not a great skater. But it’s no secret we want to play a fast game. We want to be aggressive.”
One bonus, Eklund is heading into the first of a three-year contract containing a $5.6M AAV after signing an extension with San Jose July 1, 2025.
With the start of the season in doubt for injured right-shot defenseman Artem Zub, the Senators reached out to free agent d-man Ben Hutton who agreed to a professional try-out.
Though Hutton plays the left side, there’s a chance he could switch sides if needed or Tyler Kleven can shift to the right. Regardless of what may occur, the 33-year-old resident of nearby Brockville possesses 585 games of NHL experience and can assist the Senators in a pinch.
Hutton who played in the CJHL and CCHL respectively for Kemptville and Nepean has familiarity with both Green and Senators assistant Nolan Baumgartner. Hutton played under the coaching duo for AHL season with Utica and a pair with the Canucks.
“It definitely helps. I know Travis (Green). I know a couple of guys here, (Michael) Amadio, (Claude) Giroux, a couple other guys too. So yeah, it’s nice, and this is a city I didn’t grow up in, but I was just down the road. Came to a lot of Sens games, so yeah, it’s fun to be here.”
A 2023 Stanley Cup winner with Vegas, Hutton is relieved for getting a chance to prove himself at Senators’ camp, but is aware nothing is guaranteed.
“It’s stressful. You know, you want to get something done right away when free agency opens up, trying to wait for the right opportunity. And you know it’s definitely stressful, but I’m here now and can make the most of my opportunity...Just showcase myself, show the Sens I deserve a spot, I belong in this league, and hopefully gain a contract.”
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