Prospect Info: Sharks Select William Eklund at 7th Overall *Update* returned to Djurgarden

[Jargon]

Yeah I'm pretty skeptical they bring Kane back too and I'm good to wait the 9 games to give Ek the chance to improve but right at this moment I would send him back. No way should a line with Hertl be getting caved the way it is. He needs help and if the team wants to make the playoffs, they're going to need better out of that line. Also it frankly terrifies me every time another player actually catches him and hits him.


That's definitely a possibility. I'm not opposed to that option. Good stepping stone to maybe being called back up after the olympic break.

Yeah, I’m with you. I’d like see that line switched around a bit to see if there’s just a better combo of guys. Labanc or Barabanov for Rudy, for example.

 

[Doctor Soraluce]

Yeah, I’m with you. I’d like see that line switched around a bit to see if there’s just a better combo of guys. Labanc or Barabanov for Rudy, for example.

I think BB is trying to keep Labanc on the 3rd to spread out the scoring but yeah if he keeps playing like he has he might warrant a promotion. He's been noticeable on the forecheck this season and laying hits without getting rag dolled as he had been up to this point. I've said before I thought last season was his best so far as a 200 foot player and it looks like he's taken another step this season. If they can get him to be that consistent trigger on the PP he might play to the value of his contract sooner than later.

 

[Kcoyote3]

Except he's not necessarily the thing making it work. He's good but EK65 is the primary assist guy so far and the others are playing the new system better.

I can’t figure how you can say he isn’t the one making it work seeing as how it works and he’s got three points on it

 

[hohosaregood]

I can’t figure how you can say he isn’t the one making it work seeing as how it works and he’s got three points on it

He's the only half board playmaker we've had since jumbo that's actually worked

 

[Doctor Soraluce]

I can’t figure how you can say he isn’t the one making it work seeing as how it works and he’s got three points on it

All secondary assists right? Maybe one is primary? Don't get me wrong, he's doing well in his role but I don't think he's at a unique level at this point. If he's just a PP specialist then he shouldn't be on the 1st line. I just prefer to be a little more cautious with the kid. Please read what I wrote... I'm fine to give him the 9 games to see if he can acclimate and start being effective 5 on 5 but if this is as good as he gets right now he should be sent down to dominate and add weight. They're going to need some 5 on 5 production to warrant him staying up and burning a year of that ELC IMO.

I get it, we're all enamored with the kid. Love watching him with the puck. I hope he gets better as the games progress as he has shown so far at each phase. If he doesn't it doesn't mean he's a bust, just means he might need some more time in a league where he can be one of the best players instead of at the highest level where he can literally get freight trained by some neanderthal. I just want to see him produce chances and a positive impact 5 on 5 if he's going to skate on the top line. So far it's been kinda ugly. Of course the most obvious best solution as far as play style and talent is to put Kane on that line with him and Hertl but that's unlikely at this point. He would have plenty of room to take advantage though if it did some how happen and it would give him a legit scoring winger to set up with his high end passes.

 

[Doctor Soraluce]

He's the only half board playmaker we've had since jumbo that's actually worked

That's not true. 2 years ago Labanc worked great at it. This new PP doesn't require a jumbo level playmaker on the half wall. They aren't doing anything complicated anymore, they're just setting up and firing. The big difference this season is the simplicity and the fact they are light years better on retrievals. They were always one and done last season. The real QB is the D-man anyway.

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

He's the only half board playmaker we've had since jumbo that's actually worked

@Doctor Soraluce

What is meant by 'half board'? Is there then a 'full board'? I've never played hockey so.

I wouldn't say he's the only playmaker on the right side of the PP but he's is very good at playing keep away and just holding onto the puck there and buying time for the rest of the players to shift (kinda like Barzal). We've seen what Labanc can do there but previously Labanc gets pressured very easily and coughs up the puck more often.

 

[Mattb124]

Half boards are half way from the goal line to the blue line, next to the faceoff circle Most PP's have a player in each spot (L & R). Some PP's are quarterbacked through one the of the point players while some are run through a player on the half wall (like when Thornton QB'd the SJS PP).

 

[hohosaregood]

That's not true. 2 years ago Labanc worked great at it. This new PP doesn't require a jumbo level playmaker on the half wall. They aren't doing anything complicated anymore, they're just setting up and firing. The big difference this season is the simplicity and the fact they are light years better on retrievals. They were always one and done last season. The real QB is the D-man anyway.

Labanc's decision making has proven too slow to really work that well there and it's looking like he's a better trigger than playmaker anyways.

 

[Kcoyote3]

All secondary assists right? Maybe one is primary? Don't get me wrong, he's doing well in his role but I don't think he's at a unique level at this point. If he's just a PP specialist then he shouldn't be on the 1st line. I just prefer to be a little more cautious with the kid. Please read what I wrote... I'm fine to give him the 9 games to see if he can acclimate and start being effective 5 on 5 but if this is as good as he gets right now he should be sent down to dominate and add weight. They're going to need some 5 on 5 production to warrant him staying up and burning a year of that ELC IMO.

I get it, we're all enamored with the kid. Love watching him with the puck. I hope he gets better as the games progress as he has shown so far at each phase. If he doesn't it doesn't mean he's a bust, just means he might need some more time in a league where he can be one of the best players instead of at the highest level where he can literally get freight trained by some neanderthal. I just want to see him produce chances and a positive impact 5 on 5 if he's going to skate on the top line. So far it's been kinda ugly. Of course the most obvious best solution as far as play style and talent is to put Kane on that line with him and Hertl but that's unlikely at this point. He would have plenty of room to take advantage though if it did some how happen and it would give him a legit scoring winger to set up with his high end passes.

He’s feeding the puck very effectively, and keeping the puck away from defenders while in that spot. He looks dangerous when he has the puck. I don’t know what else he needs to do to be effective in that role or why he shouldn’t be there other than saving his ELC.

As far as 5 on 5 he still creates dangerous chances pretty frequently. I wouldn’t call it ugly by any means. He set up Balcers on a beautiful partial break that Balcers couldn’t bury game before last. I think their line needs a sniper more than it needs Eklund off it IMO. Switching Labanc with Balcers might be a good idea if Hertl can share some of the grinding load

 

[The Nemesis]

@Doctor Soraluce

What is meant by 'half board'? Is there then a 'full board'? I've never played hockey so.

I wouldn't say he's the only playmaker on the right side of the PP but he's is very good at playing keep away and just holding onto the puck there and buying time for the rest of the players to shift (kinda like Barzal). We've seen what Labanc can do there but previously Labanc gets pressured very easily and coughs up the puck more often.

The half-boards are pretty much where Thornton always set up.

 

[Mr Fahrenheit]

@Doctor Soraluce

What is meant by 'half board'? Is there then a 'full board'? I've never played hockey so.

I wouldn't say he's the only playmaker on the right side of the PP but he's is very good at playing keep away and just holding onto the puck there and buying time for the rest of the players to shift (kinda like Barzal). We've seen what Labanc can do there but previously Labanc gets pressured very easily and coughs up the puck more often.

Half boards are around the hash marks by the boards

 

[Doctor Soraluce]

He’s feeding the puck very effectively, and keeping the puck away from defenders while in that spot. He looks dangerous when he has the puck. I don’t know what else he needs to do to be effective in that role or why he shouldn’t be there other than saving his ELC.

As far as 5 on 5 he still creates dangerous chances pretty frequently. I wouldn’t call it ugly by any means. He set up Balcers on a beautiful partial break that Balcers couldn’t bury game before last. I think their line needs a sniper more than it needs Eklund off it IMO. Switching Labanc with Balcers might be a good idea if Hertl can share some of the grinding load

You need to look up the advanced stats for that line 5 on 5. The Locked on Sharks guys have been stating them after each game and that line is getting killed. Like 40% corsi (I think?). Timo line putting up 60 corsi.

 

[Tyler Durden]

He's almost at 9 games. What does everyone think? He stays with the Sharks or he goes back to Sweden and avoids burning a year from the entry level contract? Thoughts? Concerns?

 

[seroes]

He's almost at 9 games. What does everyone think? He stays with the Sharks or he goes back to Sweden and avoids burning a year from the entry level contract? Thoughts? Concerns?

Goes back. The skill is there but he isn't making a difference. He needs a year to grow.

 

[themelkman]

Goes back. The skill is there but he isn't making a difference. He needs a year to grow.

I think he should probably go back, but Im not sure he will. World Juniors is a no brainer though

 

[one2gamble]

He's almost at 9 games. What does everyone think? He stays with the Sharks or he goes back to Sweden and avoids burning a year from the entry level contract? Thoughts? Concerns?

To the AHL

 

[Lebanezer]

He's almost at 9 games. What does everyone think? He stays with the Sharks or he goes back to Sweden and avoids burning a year from the entry level contract? Thoughts? Concerns?

The first game against the Jets got into his head. They tried to run him several times, and now he seems overly worried that he's going to be hit, even though no one successfully hit him. He's being way too passive and cautious. He has the skill, but right now for lack of a better term he's playing scared.

 

[BaileyMacTavish]

He needs to go back imo

 

[Munnyro]

Reposting this here.

I'm onboard with 'Eklund should go back' plan. He's not bad at all but he feels like a bumper player. Get into the zone and pass it off, F1 forecheck, breakout puck carrier, etc. He's muted in the O-zone for me.

I dunno if that's because Hertl is a natural puck carrier or if it is the match ups that line faces. I'd rather he be a major piece of the AHL/SHL than chase pucks all night, which is what it feels like for me. I'd like him with Bonino instead of Hertl for softer match ups.

 

[mogambomoroo]

Having Eklund to play this year in SHL could be the best option if we are looking at our cap projection for the future. I want to see him play all the 9 games this year to really see if he has something to offer though. Burns plays last year of his contract in 2024-25 and that same year is last year of the ELC for Eklund if they don't burn this year. Bordeleau probably starts next year, so his ELC is going in the same timeline and that should help the team cap wise.

But I still kinda want to see Eklund be a difference maker, so I really hope he starts something these couple of games and stays to keep the Sharks going.
Best thing for the future would be to get a high draft pick 2022 but this team has a lot of veteran players that won't get with that.

 

[Gecklund]

I wonder if playing him on the third line with Bonino would be good when Kane gets back.

Kane-Hertl-Barabanov
Timo-Couture-Dahlen
Balcers-Bonino-Eklund
Nieto-Weatherby-Cogliano

Trade Labanc for a first to a contender.

 

[Doctor Soraluce]

Labanc's decision making has proven too slow to really work that well there and it's looking like he's a better trigger than playmaker anyways.

Agreed, but like I said, the D-men are the QBs now. The half board players don't need to over handle and QB the way Labanc did a few years ago. Labanc is better as a reaction player which the new PP forces. I think he started trying to overthink with the time he had on the PP the last couple years.

 

[Doctor Soraluce]

He's almost at 9 games. What does everyone think? He stays with the Sharks or he goes back to Sweden and avoids burning a year from the entry level contract? Thoughts? Concerns?

Definitely needs to go back. He's going to be an excellent player but not this season. If he were 6"1" and 190lbs I might keep him and let him work thru but at his size he's going to struggle to play thru the physical rigors while trying to acclimate to the NA game. Can't let the one maybe 2 plays a game where he does something high end over shadow how he looks the rest of the game. He's bailing a lot when other players take a hit to make a play. He's been almost non existent 5 on 5 which is crippling Hertl's effectiveness IMO. If this team intends to make the play offs they really need to replace E5 in the lineup with Kane. Let E5 go dominate the AHL or SHL and see him next camp. Him and Bordeleau can come into camp next season and take top 6 spots and the Sharks will see the beginning of a new era.

The first game against the Jets got into his head. They tried to run him several times, and now he seems overly worried that he's going to be hit, even though no one successfully hit him. He's being way too passive and cautious. He has the skill, but right now for lack of a better term he's playing scared.

Agree 100%. They probably watched his plays from that game the next day where he made guys miss and he saw how close he was to getting freight trained by big men and he shit his pants a little.

 

[Doctor Soraluce]

I wonder if playing him on the third line with Bonino would be good when Kane gets back.

Kane-Hertl-Barabanov
Timo-Couture-Dahlen
Balcers-Bonino-Eklund
Nieto-Weatherby-Cogliano

Trade Labanc for a first to a contender.

If they get a 1st for Labanc take that and run. No idea what his real value is but that would be awesome.

I'd put Pedersen and Gadjet in if they send E5 back. Pedersen was fine when he played with Bonino. Gadjet looked ok in his shifts there too. Both feel more dangerous offensively than Nieto. Or Give Pedersen a shot at 4C and put Weatherbody on the wing. Lot's of interchangeable parts in the bottom 6 IMO.