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

[PacificOceanPotion]

Seeing those quotes about Eklunds genuine disappointment bothers me. Confidence is such a big thing for young players and you don't want to make the kid feel like he didn't do enough because he wasn't lighting up the stat sheet. Its just wild to me. I don't want to jump to conclusions about mismanagement. I've never managed a professional sports team. I do have my own thoughts on it and I would have liked to see him stick for the full season. Its hard to see the intent here unless there's a trade incoming we don't see that helps fill the void. Leonard ain't it unless we're committing to losing games with a record above .500.

 

[Le Grand Quebecois]

I'm curious if he comes back after the SHL season ends, May 10th +Playoffs. The NHL season doesn't end until July. I'm curious because I think it will be telling if this was a contract move or just a player development one.

 

[21]

Seeing those quotes about Eklunds genuine disappointment bothers me. Confidence is such a big thing for young players and you don't want to make the kid feel like he didn't do enough because he wasn't lighting up the stat sheet. Its just wild to me. I don't want to jump to conclusions about mismanagement. I've never managed a professional sports team. I do have my own thoughts on it and I would have liked to see him stick for the full season. Its hard to see the intent here unless there's a trade incoming we don't see that helps fill the void. Leonard ain't it unless we're committing to losing games with a record above .500.

This is overdramatic and exaggerated by the press, yes, he is dissapointed (because he is a winner and a great player) but Eklund will work his ass off, no worries.

I'm mostly laughing here, at all overreactions by various hockey journalists in Sweden and Twitter accounts in the US. ;-)

 

[Pinkfloyd]

I'm curious if he comes back after the SHL season ends, May 10th +Playoffs. The NHL season doesn't end until July. I'm curious because I think it will be telling if this was a contract move or just a player development one.

This is mostly a contract move. He can develop anywhere because he's 19 but this is done to slide his contract and the Sharks will have to earn getting him back by producing wins without him. I understand valuing the hope he provides but people need to be patient. The team isn't ready for him and if Kane is brought back and Hertl isn't staying, you don't want him dealing with locker room angst when they aren't truly competing as most agree they aren't.

 

[mooncalf]

I'm curious if he comes back after the SHL season ends, May 10th +Playoffs. The NHL season doesn't end until July. I'm curious because I think it will be telling if this was a contract move or just a player development one.

It's both. He won't be back this year. He will be the MAN on his not good Swedish team and I think that besides physically getting bigger that's the thing he needs to learn the most, how to carry that weight. This was the right decision IMO.

 

[Kcoyote3]

This is overdramatic and exaggerated by the press, yes, he is dissapointed (because he is a winner and a great player) but Eklund will work his ass off, no worries.

I'm mostly laughing here, at all overreactions by various hockey journalists in Sween and Twitter accounts in the US. ;-)

It’s a bad decision. Simple as that.

 

[Kcoyote3]

And also what happens when he goes back to Swedes and absolutely bombs? Are they going to take responsibility for ruining his confidence? Nah.

 

[Levie]

And also what happens when he goes back to Swedes and absolutely bombs? Are they going to take responsibility for ruining his confidence? Nah.

I would be shocked.

 

[slocal]

Doug Wilson’s blurb about this decision is a total crock.

I feel almost like taking him to nine games was a troll job. I know it's not, but I feel the reaction would have been different had be been sent back earlier.

 

[mooncalf]

And also what happens when he goes back to Swedes and absolutely bombs? Are they going to take responsibility for ruining his confidence? Nah.

I think you're being dramatic. It's much more likely his confidence gets destroyed by being brought along too quickly. He'll be great in Sweden.

 

[Le Grand Quebecois]

This is mostly a contract move. He can develop anywhere because he's 19 but this is done to slide his contract and the Sharks will have to earn getting him back by producing wins without him. I understand valuing the hope he provides but people need to be patient. The team isn't ready for him and if Kane is brought back and Hertl isn't staying, you don't want him dealing with locker room angst when they aren't truly competing as most agree they aren't.

It's both. He won't be back this year. He will be the MAN on his not good Swedish team and I think that besides physically getting bigger that's the thing he needs to learn the most, how to carry that weight. This was the right decision IMO.

Do the playoffs count against the slide? From the standpoint of his development, coming back to the NHL this year after the team wins the President's trophy would be a great learning experience.

 

[OrrNumber4]

Really disappointing.

I can't help but think about my own statement about teams that play these kinds of games. Of course, maybe I'm assuming too much...

 

[Barrie22]

I feel almost like taking him to nine games was a troll job. I know it's not, but I feel the reaction would have been different had be been sent back earlier.

And to add to this having coaches and players singing you praise of just how quick you are improving shift in shift out the entire way.

 

[Le Grand Quebecois]

Doug Wilson’s blurb about this decision is a total crock.

When has anything DW said ever been anything other than a crock? He's Doug "The Crock" Wilson.

 

[Barrie22]

Do the playoffs count against the slide? From the standpoint of his development, coming back to the NHL this year after the team wins the President's trophy would be a great learning experience.

Any nhl games that count for personal stats in 1 way or another come the end of your career count. So reg and playoffs count.

 

[tealzamboni]

When has anything DW said ever been anything other than a crock? He's Doug "The Crock" Wilson.

obligatory "Fire Wilson"

 

[21]

You should look at this from the bright side, here you have a great young Swedish talent who really wants to play for the San Jose Sharks in the NHL, he is passioned about fulfilling this dream, that's for sure.

This is a bit overdramatic, he is looking so sad, not sure he is happy about this picture. *LoL* It's important though that the coaches talk to Eklund and I'm sure they do.

 

[PacificOceanPotion]

You should look at this from the bright side, here you have a great Swedish talent who really wants to play for the San Jose Sharks in the NHL, he is passioned about fulfilling this dream, that's for sure.

This is a bit overdramatic, he is looking so sad, not sure he is happy about this picture. *LoL* It's important though that the coaches talk to Eklund and I'm sure they do.

Rules are rules? In before we get a report Eklunds been late to meetings!

 

[Ronnie Residue]

And also what happens when he goes back to Swedes and absolutely bombs? Are they going to take responsibility for ruining his confidence? Nah.

If he bombs in Sweden it’s on him.

 

[21]

Rules are rules? In before we get a report Eklunds been late to meetings!

Hmmmm most probably referring to the contract and late because he already was on his way to Sweden? Djurgården has had a terrible awful start of the season and they need William, they are desperate. This was not the best coaching session from Barry Smith, that's for sure (how old is he, 90?).

 

[Barrie22]

Rules are rules? In before we get a report Eklunds been late to meetings!

Rule was rookies are not allowed to make mr co-worker look bad by being a better player.

 

[tealzamboni]

Rules are rules? In before we get a report Eklunds been late to meetings!

He's was arguing with MacLean about the powerplay's terrible puck movement.

 

[Lebanezer]

You should look at this from the bright side, here you have a great young Swedish talent who really wants to play for the San Jose Sharks in the NHL, he is passioned about fulfilling this dream, that's for sure.

This is a bit overdramatic, he is looking so sad, not sure he is happy about this picture. *LoL* It's important though that the coaches talk to Eklund and I'm sure they do.

I am going to take this moment to once again take a shot at the Sharks' media team for not posting these interviews on their website. They didn't post Eklund and Kniazev's interviews yesterday before the game, and their overall lack of effort to keep the fans informed is one of the many reasons why their ticket sales are in the toilet.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Do the playoffs count against the slide? From the standpoint of his development, coming back to the NHL this year after the team wins the President's trophy would be a great learning experience.

Yes the playoffs count but I’m certain the team would be fine with starting his clock if a team without him is playoff competitive.

 

[slocal]

I am going to take this moment to once again take a shot at the Sharks' media team for not posting these interviews on their website. They didn't post Eklund and Kniazev's interviews yesterday before the game, and their overall lack of effort to keep the fans informed is one of the many reasons why their ticket sales are in the toilet.

Their idea of fan engagement is an app.