slocal
Dude...what?
Looking forward to Eklund's candid Swedish interview.
Prospect Info: Sharks Select William Eklund at 7th Overall *Update* returned to Djurgarden
- Thread starter LastWordArmy
- Start date
Juxtaposer
Outro: Divina Comedia
I’m honestly pretty shocked. I don’t hate it, because I think Ek was a little out of his depth at times, but he definitely could have played the whole year and I wouldn’t have questioned it.
He has less to gain by going back and playing in Sweden. Even if you don't want him to play in the NHL, the Barracuda are right there with the proper ice size, and he can still be around the NHL players and have his contract slide. Also, someone posted above that Djurgarden just had their coach resign and they're a terrible team right now. Maybe they want to rebuild his confidence, but the overall choice does not read as logical to me both in terms of Eklund's development and financial concerns.
seroes
Registered User
Well .. if ever there was a move to show management isn't looking for results this year this is it.
YUPPY 2 7 10 11
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- Oct 5, 2020
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I was waiting for this decision to buy tickets to the shark's games, but now I won't have to buy tickets...there is nothing to see for this team. Wow, the sharks suck for making this STUPID decision.
STL Shark
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- Mar 6, 2013
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The organization has some MAJOR explaining to do about what they perceive the future of the franchise to look like. If this move was grounded in a series of other moves that showed some sort of consistent messaging, I would not be nearly as critical about it. I have given DW more leash than literally anyone else on this message board for years. This move coupled with all of the messaging for the past 6 months does not make an ounce of sense.
We don't have some superstar core group of players that are going to supplant the load of anchor contracts anytime soon. Whether his ELC expired in 2023-24 or 2024-25 makes literally zero difference in the long-term trajectory of the organization. In 2024-25, you still have Burns, Vlasic, Karlsson, Couture, and Kane money all on the books. If there was some move to slide the ELC to expire in 2025-26, then I could see the logic there as the Kane and Burns money is off the books and you can then couple Eklund on an ELC along with Bordeleau, Wiesblatt, etc. and add a big time 1 year rental and go for it in that final year of his ELC. We're in literally the same (if not worse depending on Hertl/Meier/Ferraro future contracts) cap situation in 2024-25 as we are right now.
The biggest difference is all of those bloated contract players are going to be drastically worse by that point in time relative to their already declining play now. There is not a reasonable argument to be made right now that says the sliding of his ELC makes us better in the present or at the expiry of the deal. Just a really dumb/frustrating decision unless there is a big time set of moves in the cards to clear cap space. Even worse, the kid simply needs to play hockey games. He's going to maybe play like 25 games in the SHL this year by the time he gets back and settled and then misses time immediately for the WJC. That means he gets maybe 40 or so games the entire hockey season after dealing with his injury/illness issues last year. I simply don't get it.
We don't have some superstar core group of players that are going to supplant the load of anchor contracts anytime soon. Whether his ELC expired in 2023-24 or 2024-25 makes literally zero difference in the long-term trajectory of the organization. In 2024-25, you still have Burns, Vlasic, Karlsson, Couture, and Kane money all on the books. If there was some move to slide the ELC to expire in 2025-26, then I could see the logic there as the Kane and Burns money is off the books and you can then couple Eklund on an ELC along with Bordeleau, Wiesblatt, etc. and add a big time 1 year rental and go for it in that final year of his ELC. We're in literally the same (if not worse depending on Hertl/Meier/Ferraro future contracts) cap situation in 2024-25 as we are right now.
The biggest difference is all of those bloated contract players are going to be drastically worse by that point in time relative to their already declining play now. There is not a reasonable argument to be made right now that says the sliding of his ELC makes us better in the present or at the expiry of the deal. Just a really dumb/frustrating decision unless there is a big time set of moves in the cards to clear cap space. Even worse, the kid simply needs to play hockey games. He's going to maybe play like 25 games in the SHL this year by the time he gets back and settled and then misses time immediately for the WJC. That means he gets maybe 40 or so games the entire hockey season after dealing with his injury/illness issues last year. I simply don't get it.
Levie
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- Mar 15, 2011
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It's pretty clear to me that they don't care to compete this year. Unfortunately neither does the rest of the Pacific so we will probably get a playoff spot and lose in the first round.
STL Shark
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- Mar 6, 2013
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Tell us you only look at counting stats without telling us that you only look at counting stats.
Stewie Griffin
What the deuce
Time to just look forward again. It will be fun to follow along as he tries to carry Djurgarden, and he (along with Bordeleau) should be two of the best players at the WJC this year. Next year will be a big infusion of youth.
SjMilhouse
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spintheblackcircle
incoming!!!
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themelkman
Always Delivers
Im good with this. Im gonna scoop up some unwanted sweden WJC tickets and watch him live
f***ing stupid. f*** Doug Wilson.
The captain of the team said he thinks he’s done enough. That he’s learning the game every time he’s on the ice and making great plays. Your captain. Of the team. The team you want to “win” apparently. With 7 players out from COVID.
Seriously f*** off Doug. This move makes no sense to send him to a Swedish team that is struggling, away from NHL competition, so that he can “learn” how to play in the NHL.
you have 10,000 people MAYBE in the stands every night, a 7 million dollar asshole who tried to fake a COVID card to go gamble, and you finally start to build a culture of successful youth and you ruin this kid’s confidence like that? Ridiculous. Unforgivable.
The captain of the team said he thinks he’s done enough. That he’s learning the game every time he’s on the ice and making great plays. Your captain. Of the team. The team you want to “win” apparently. With 7 players out from COVID.
Seriously f*** off Doug. This move makes no sense to send him to a Swedish team that is struggling, away from NHL competition, so that he can “learn” how to play in the NHL.
you have 10,000 people MAYBE in the stands every night, a 7 million dollar asshole who tried to fake a COVID card to go gamble, and you finally start to build a culture of successful youth and you ruin this kid’s confidence like that? Ridiculous. Unforgivable.
Juxtaposer
Outro: Divina Comedia
Whether or not we burn a year of Eklund’s ELC is completely irrelevant. What’s important is to do what’s best for Eklund’s development.
weastern bias
worst team in the league
This is the smart move in the long term, it's just very confusing to see this decision made considering the team is so obviously trying to compete now and Eklund is definitely an NHL quality player already
I think this was a tough call for Doug to make but I ultimately agree with this decision
I think this was a tough call for Doug to make but I ultimately agree with this decision
slocal
Dude...what?
Keep him away from the kid at all costs! I don't want Eklund returning looking all greasy.
one2gamble
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- Dec 24, 2007
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I'm telling you. Hertl is gone and If that's the case this makes more sense.
Don't burn the year, get another top 5 pick, reload
hohosaregood
Banned
- Sep 1, 2011
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I'm a little worried about how Djurgarden's doing but Eklund seems so freaking smart that I think the only thing he really needs to develop is his body and refine what he's already doing.
I wouldn't be opposed of sending Eklund back to Sweden IF we would've started the season badly and keeping Eklund away from that would've been probably smart move. But right now I feel it does not make sense as it makes our team weaker and team is doing well. Plus side is that at least now I might have very easy chance to see his play live as it is very likely I'll start exchange at KTH Royal Institute of Technology and it's campus is very near Djurgården's arena!
Levie
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one2gamble
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And the shl is not the league. The kid has the talent, but he is slow to make decisions which has nothing to do with hockey intelligence being low. It is because he grew up on big ice and got used to playing with that extra time and space. Now he has to try and play with faster players and on smaller ice and was having issues adapting. Sending him back to the same big ice just means that next year when he is back, he will then have to adjust to the smaller ice. He needs to be in the ahl or give him the thornton treatment and teach him slowly in the nhl.
