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

[APVJ]

Better than Aatu Räty

 

[theslatcher]

Longer vid:

 

[TorontoMedia]

This kid should be being discussed as a top 10 talent if not already...

 

[JustaFinnishGuy]

Better than Aatu Räty

Everyone ranked in the top 10 is

 

[theslatcher]

Everyone ranked in the top 10 is

Eklund's not in anybody's top 10 right now, really. Though he should be getting there.



Currently leading the SHL in Even Strength P/60. Pretty impressive considering he has the 18th highest EvS TOI/GP when it comes to forwards(his linesmate Holtz has 8 seconds less and sits at 21st), so it's not due to a lack of ice time.

 

[wings5]

My view is that Eklund will have a excellent SHL-carreer, but I doubt it will translate well into the NHL.

Hmm not sure this post will age well

 

[Pavels Dog]

 

[Prntscrn]

Pretty much every shift, so good

 

[VictorLustig]

Probably the best period from a draft eligible in the SHL since the Rasmus Dahlin days. Just toying with Skellefteå. Quick, slippery, super strong on the puck. Fantastic motor.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I don’t know how well this works, but what instantly comes to mind when I think of comparisons for Eklund is pre-injury Fabbri. A little bit of an undersized winger who isn’t blazing fast, but his sense and skill is really good.

 

[pgfan66]

He’s been my favourite 2021 prospect since I first saw him a year ago. I’ve seen him around 10 times now and was never disappointed. He’s just so consistently outstanding.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

To quote the dude from scouching, "This William Eklund guy is looking like a guy."

I'm really liking this kid's puck protection and distribution.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

This kid is impressive. He is doing quite a bit more in the SHL in his DY as compared to Raymond, Holtz and Gunler in theirs.

 

[NJ DevLolz]

This kid is impressive. He is doing quite a bit more in the SHL in his DY as compared to Raymond, Holtz and Gunler in theirs.

He's also getting way more opportunity. Good on him for taking advantage tho

 

[wetcoast]

Eklund's not in anybody's top 10 right now, really. Though he should be getting there.



Currently leading the SHL in Even Strength P/60. Pretty impressive considering he has the 18th highest EvS TOI/GP when it comes to forwards(his linesmate Holtz has 8 seconds less and sits at 21st), so it's not due to a lack of ice time.

He is definitely one of the risers right now.

 

[Pavels Dog]

 

[APVJ]

Why is he ranked so low?

 

[Eye of Ra]

Why is he ranked so low?

becuse his dad was a grinder

 

[Hale The Villain]

Why is he ranked so low?

Had a mediocre 17YR old year in the Superelit and the SHL. Never really put up big numbers at any level. Plus it's still early.

If he keeps it up he'll be a top 10 pick easily.

 

[NJ DevLolz]

Watched a lot of today's game for Holtz. I like Eklind's motor, confidence, and shot, but I'm not seeing high end skills. He also hangs onto the puck too long at times. Obviously the kid is 18 and producing amazingly so I'm nitpicking a little.

 

[pgfan66]

Why is he ranked so low?

Only explanation I have is that people in North America (who are publishing the largest share of public rankings) haven’t watched him or paid attention last season. The talent was always obvious.

 

[perolofbrasar]

Only explanation I have is that people in North America (who are publishing the largest share of public rankings) haven’t watched him or paid attention last season. The talent was always obvious.

True. Coronavirus situation has turbo-charged the fact that exposure is everything. The 02s, 03s and 04s will be affected by this. I mean, at the end of the day, do people really think that Wallinder and Grans will be the two best 02-defenders and Robertson the best 03-fwd?

 

[Mike27Devils]

I think he's going top 10 for sure. He's gonna slowly rise all year. He's playing too good right now for that not to happen.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think some of the above posts are wrong. He's a good prospect, but he's a late birthday, he's undersized, he's not a blazing fast skater, and his offensive skills are very good but might not meet the dynamic threshold. I can see why some would be hesitant to rank the guy where his point totals might indicate he should be. You cannot formulate a ranking based largely on who is scoring how many points. Production does matter, but projection also does.

 

[pgfan66]

I think some of the above posts are wrong. He's a good prospect, but he's a late birthday, he's undersized, he's not a blazing fast skater, and his offensive skills are very good but might not meet the dynamic threshold. I can see why some would be hesitant to rank the guy where his point totals might indicate he should be. You cannot formulate a ranking based largely on who is scoring how many points. Production does matter, but projection also does.

Interesting. His skating and dynamic ability are what I’ve liked most about him. Was my favourite Swede at the U18 5 Nations last year when he only scored 1 point.