C/LW William Eklund - San Jose Sharks, NHL (2021, 7th, SJS)

[Cyborg Yzerberg]

Congrats San Jose, you took the best player in the entire draft.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

We just need a Wright/Lambert/Berdard/Michkov to pair him with

 

[glasgow26]

Great pick…

 

[JTToilinginToronto]

Eklund to SJ e5

 

[Mattb124]

hes a LW

love love love this pick. We got a few nice pieces in the cupboard. Need more for sure, but we’re getting some quality players. Great pick

I read a scouting report that said he has played LW in the SHL but center before that and per DWJ that is where the Sharks are projecting him to play in the NHL.

 

[Love]

I had him 1st overall

 

[TheWayToRefJose]

FaceTime conversation with Doug Wilson and Doug Wilson Jr, who is in charge of drafting.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Apparently the Sharks had Beniers first on their board and Eklund second. Curious how many other teams didn’t have Power first.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I read a scouting report that said he has played LW in the SHL but center before that and per DWJ that is where the Sharks are projecting him to play in the NHL.

I don't see how a team can have Bordeleau and Eklund in the same lineup as centers. One of them is going to have to play winger, and probably on a different line. Both are great players, but it's hard to fit two 5'10 players into the same top 6, especially both as centers or on the same line.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

I don't see how a team can have Bordeleau and Eklund in the same lineup as centers. One of them is going to have to play winger, and probably on a different line. Both are great players, but it's hard to fit two 5'10 players into the same top 6, especially both as centers or on the same line.

Shane Wright is going to centre them

 

[hohosaregood]

I don't see how a team can have Bordeleau and Eklund in the same lineup as centers. One of them is going to have to play winger, and probably on a different line. Both are great players, but it's hard to fit two 5'10 players into the same top 6, especially both as centers or on the same line.

helicopter lines dude. everybody's a center and a winger.

 

[T0uGh C0oki3]

Shane Wright is going to centre them

Don't forget Connor Bedard on the 2nd line.

 

[Saskatoon]

Shane Wright is going to centre them

Sharks need to keep Martin Jones for that to happen (without some insane lottery luck)... they aren't a playofff team but with league average goaltending will be out of the hunt for #1

 

[teal]

Where would Eklund have ranked in the past few drafts?

 

[Barry Amsterdam]

Where would Eklund have ranked in the past few drafts?

yes

 

[Carl33]

Eklund- Hertl- Kane Will be fun to Watch next year

 

[Team Cozens]

Shane Wright is going to centre them

Have you seen the Sabres roster and the division they will be playing in?? They could be historically bad. Again.

 

[themelkman]

Have you seen the Sabres roster and the division there will be playing in?? They could be historically bad. Again.

Lottery hopefully stops that from paying off, but we will see.

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

Does anyone else think this kid has by far the best hockey sense and vision from this draft?

 

[Sweetpotato]

We just need a Wright/Lambert/Berdard/Michkov to pair him with

Don't sleep on Savoie. Kids gonna fill out over the next 2-3 years and be an absolute handful.

 

[Osakahaus]

Sharks got this man? Can they stop gobbling up all this great talent though, it's kinda funny seeing how they get these guys so often in their draft history

 

[Orca Smash]

I had him and berniers as 1 and 2.

 

[flying v 604]

Does anyone else think this kid has by far the best hockey sense and vision from this draft?

Five years from now I wouldn't be shocked if him and Kent are the best players from the draft.
When it comes to trying to project prospects I am always intrigued by the smaller elite skill players who have shown they can play against full-grown men or even college players and excel.
To me these smaller kids who don't rely on size yet dominate often have been small since they were kids which forces them to be creative and develop the skilled part and skating in order to excel.
A good example is Virtanen, he was a wrecking ball that used his size to create offence but once he turned pro his game didn't translate, it's why I preferred Stützle over Byfield.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Surprised this hasn't been posted:



Eklund is going over to San Jose. Will probably sign ELC tomorrow. Still doesn't seem to be decided where he will play but I guess this would be an indication that he's headed to NA.

Weird situation. Djurgården coach found out from journalists after first preseason game yesterday.

Barry Smith (Djurgården coach)
" - What, what are you saying? No one told me. That can't be right. He is going to be with us. I will have to talk with William. The best thing for him is to play with us the coming season and get a lot of icetime. I've talked to San Jose GM Doug Wilson and told him how I see William."

Eklund:
"- Yes that's correct. I will have to tell Barry too. Was a bit quickly decided and I leave sunday morning and land at lunchtime in California."

 

[Kalv]

I would had expected him to stay in Sweden.

But man, as a Ducks fan this pains me to see the Sharks got him. Ridiculous.