Sharks GM says the Senators made an offer he couldn't refuse for William Eklund

San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier said William Eklund was "someone that Ottawa zeroed in on and targeted." Photo by Ezra Shaw /Getty Images

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Steve Staios made the San Jose Sharks an offer they couldn’t refuse.

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San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier met with the media on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after dealing winger William Eklund, along with two prospects, to the Ottawa Senators, and noted the offer of the No. 9 selection in Friday’s National Hockey League draft was too good to pass up.

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Grier said that Staios, the club’s president of hockey operations and GM, reached out after he traded captain Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers on Sunday in exchange for the No. 9 and No. 25 selections in the first round of this draft, along with a first-rounder in 2029 and a second-rounder in 2027.

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The Senators also received forward prospect Kasper Halttunen and the rights to unsigned draft pick Brandon Svoboda.

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“It came together fairly quickly,” said Grier. “(Eklund) wasn’t someone I was looking to move or move on from. Steve got put in a tough situation there in Ottawa, and I thought he did a great job of navigating it and doing the best he could in a difficult situation.

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“Once that happened, he was looking for a good player to fill a top-six role for his team. We had some good discussions, and it came together fairly quickly. It’s a good opportunity for (Eklund) and, for us, it was a chance to add another top-10 pick.”

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Ottawa Senators forward Fabian Zetterlund, seen talking to the media at Canadian Tire Centre in a May 2025 file photo, was thrilled when he found out close friend William Eklund had been traded to Ottawa. “I was happy, screamed a little bit,” Zetterlund said. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia

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There was a lot of surprise when the Sharks decided to deal Eklund. He is heading into the first season of a three-year contract extension he signed on July 1, 2025, that will pay him $5.6 million per season.

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“I didn’t go into this off-season looking to trade (Eklund). He was someone that Ottawa zeroed in on and targeted as someone who could come in and help replace some of the production they lost with Brady,” Grier said.

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League executives say Eklund is a legitimate top-six forward who has the speed and ability to play with centre Tim Stutzle. Eklund isn’t afraid to get his nose dirty, which is important for a player who stands at only 5-foot-10.

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We’re told that Staios believes that Eklund is a high-character player and will be a good fit in the dressing room. He’s close friends with former Sharks winger Fabian Zetterlund, who is thrilled to have him in Ottawa.

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“I was happy, screamed a little bit, and thought it was April 1,” Zetterlund told a Swedish magazine. “I talked to him myself, and he was mostly shocked. Most of all, it’s really fun. He’s like my little brother.

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“We are like brothers, even though I’m a little older than him. Now I get to show him around Ottawa, and we get to spend Christmas together again.”

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Ottawa posted a video from Eklund, who will wear No. 27, on Tuesday saying he’s looking forward to suiting up with the Senators.

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“I’m super-excited to join the organization. I’ve heard great things about the organization and the fans. I’m just excited to get there,” Eklund said.

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