If Eklund spends a single game in the AHL next year that's not a good sign. Again, two stints already in the NHL, and 2 full professional seasons. If he doesn't prove it out of camp, then he just might not have it.
Speculation: 2022-23 Sharks Roster Discussion Part II
- Thread starter WTFetus
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hohosaregood
Banned
- Sep 1, 2011
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For sure, the lineup up front is still really thin. I think we only have enough players to fill out one solid top 6 line. Otherwise it's gonna be a tough offensive year for the forwards.
Yeah I expect it’ll be a rougher year next year but hopefully they make it worthwhile and play younger players more.
STL Shark
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- Mar 6, 2013
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Except prior to the draft, Eklund and his agent were adamant that it was best for him to develop another year in Sweden. Sure he was disappointed to not stick around, but it's not like that isn't what he had been on record saying months prior.
Internazionale
Registered User
My god. He's 20 years old. Let him grow and earn his spot on the team. He will be just fine regardless.
STL Shark
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Or, he had shoulder surgery and might not be humming at 100% right at the onset of camp given the summer was spent rehabbing rather than on hockey skill development and adding muscle...
I think he's on the top line opening night, but only a fool would be this black and white with player development.
Worse than 92-93? Hard to be worse than 11-71-2 and outscored by 196 goals.
As far as I'm concerned, he has earned his spot on the team. There won't be nine forwards better than him in this organization to start next season and he has no contractual stipulations that may necessitate keeping him elsewhere.
Alaskanice
Registered User
I don't think it'll be worse than those expansion years but it'll probably be worse than the last few years.
Internazionale
Registered User
He needs to be put in the best situation for him. He needs to be surrounded with talent to help him grow as a player. If it's top line minutes in the AHL to start, so be it. No sense bringing him into the big club if his minutes are going to less.
one2gamble
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- Dec 24, 2007
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He wants to be the NHL. He's been dicked around already. 10-12 minutes on the Sharks is going to better than 20 on the cuda.
Then why be upset he was not staying in San Jose with the Barracuda? You do not come out to the media through your agent like the next day saying that he is dissapointing in being sent back to Sweden and that he would of liked to stay in San Jose.
I think at this point the best situation for him is to play in the NHL with NHL players against NHL players in order to adjust to the speed of the game at that level. He's shown pretty consistently in his auditions that he's able to play at the pace of the NHL and even if he plays less minutes, learning how to contribute to the team in almost any role is to his and the team's benefit due to his skill level.
STL Shark
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“I have one more year in Europe to develop into a better player here,”
William Eklund on July 6th of his draft year
"Eklund is smart, he understands that he will develop to a better player playing on a high level in the Swedish League for at least one more year. He does not want to take the step to North American pro leagues until he is 100% ready. He had a big role on Djurgarden last season and will be a key player on the team (in) 21-22."
- NHL Director of Euro Scouting on Eklund prior to the draft.
Why he was upset when it happened is uncertain, but these are objective fact quotes from Eklund and those that know Eklund about what his plans were going into 2021-22.
hohosaregood
Banned
- Sep 1, 2011
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Agreed, every time he's been in the NHL, he's shown that he can keep up with the pace of play. For a kid as smart as hockey as he is, the NHL is going to be the best place for him to figure out the timings and what he needs to do to contribute at the highest level.
If he wasn't keeping up with the pace in his auditions, or was clearly outmatched physically, I'd say send him down but he's been solid whenever he's been up
LadyStanley
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LadyStanley
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Hellebuyck, DeBrincat and other NHL trades we'd like to see this summer
The market is heating up as the draft and free agency approach. Here are the blockbusters that make sense for both teams involved.
ESPN speculates EK65 to Dallas.
I have seen Debrincat to Det rumors. What about a 3 team trade where Debrincat goes to Det, EK goes back to Ottawa and Sharks get at least a 1st from Det this year. I think that could be the framework of a deal that could benefit all parties.
Detroit's 1st and Ottawa 1st. Go big lol
Jargon
Registered User
I sort of wonder if our defensive structure will be better without EK65. Our team was basically built around him and Meier, if it becomes more of a communal effort, maybe we’ll be tighter defensively…?
…and never be able to leave our own zone.
God, next year is going to be rough unless Grier signs/trades for some guys.
…and never be able to leave our own zone.
God, next year is going to be rough unless Grier signs/trades for some guys.
Pavelski2112
Bold as Boognish
No, they'll still be awful defensively, they'll just be awful offensively too. No matter how good your system is, if you're hemmed in your zone because you have no one who can move the puck from the back end, you're still going to have a ton of problems.
timorous me
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- Apr 14, 2010
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You mean 2024 Stanley Cup champion and Conn Smythe winner Kaapo Kahkonen?
I felt fine with the defensive structure of our team and I don't suspect it will be any different if Karlsson is traded. We had issues with turnovers and goaltending being bad that led to all the goals and losses. There will probably be less odd-man rushes against due to Karlsson being the main facilitator of offense having the puck and turning it over really anywhere in the offensive zone. But our defensive play will likely remain similar overall because we're just not that good up and down the lineup relative to who we're playing against. Our offense is going to take a nosedive and we weren't scoring enough to win on the regular as it was.
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