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

[Artorius Horus T]

good start to his AHL rookie season i think.
6 goals, 6 assists, 12 points through 21 games
51 shots on goal with 18 pim.

 

[CaptainShark]

good start to his AHL rookie season i think.
6 goals, 6 assists, 12 points through 21 games
51 shots on goal with 18 pim.

Actually it’s 6g, 7a and those who watch the Barracuda on a regular basis seem to agree that he is playing better than those numbers suggest

 

[16thOverallSaveUs]

He looked good in the games against Iowa

 

[Stewie Griffin]

It's really nice to see him shooting (and therefor scoring) more after his quiet year last year. Had a nice one-timer this weekend and set up the OT winner lastnight.



Also weird, but the team calls him Little Lingonberry

 

[Stewie Griffin]

Another weekend, another Eklund one-timer.

 

[vildurson]

He has developed an actual consistent shot? His trademarks were elite transition game and offensive zone playmaking and now this too? Gonna(he was already fun when he was playing up tho) be a treat when he gets called up.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

He has developed an actual consistent shot? His trademarks were elite transition game and offensive zone playmaking and now this too? Gonna(he was already fun when he was playing up tho) be a treat when he gets called up.

I think his main thing is he is just shooting the puck more often, and is playing with some good playmakers such as Bordeleau on the PP.

Depending on the severity of Couture's injury right now, maybe he gets a call up at some point soon, but I think he won't be up until after the trade deadline (barring other major injuries)

If he does get called up and gets the chance to play with a volume shooter like Meier, he could rack up a ton of points.

 

[JohnLennon]

I think his main thing is he is just shooting the puck more often, and is playing with some good playmakers such as Bordeleau on the PP.

Depending on the severity of Couture's injury right now, maybe he gets a call up at some point soon, but I think he won't be up until after the trade deadline (barring other major injuries)

If he does get called up and gets the chance to play with a volume shooter like Meier, he could rack up a ton of points.

Considering a single game would burn a full year of ELC for Eklund, do you think Sharks management is considering this as a reason against calling him up? With Bordeleau currently already burning through his ELC, maybe they opt to call him up instead... especially considering he might already be the best playmaker on the Cuda. What are your thoughts?

 

[Juxtaposer]

Considering a single game would burn a full year of ELC for Eklund, do you think Sharks management is considering this as a reason against calling him up? With Bordeleau currently already burning through his ELC, maybe they opt to call him up instead... especially considering he might already be the best playmaker on the Cuda. What are your thoughts?

Burning an ELC year is pretty meaningless unless the player is a bonafide superstar. If anything, reaching RFA status sooner on a good but not elite player is better because you can lock them up long-term sooner and potentially get a bargain throughout the prime of the player’s career. I don’t think that the Sharks will base their decision to call up or not call up Eklund on his contract status.

I said this at the beginning of the season but unless Eklund (or Bordeleau) is setting the AHL on absolute fire, they should remain on the Barracuda for the full year. Eklund in particular has had a rough couple of years with regards to injury and illness, and the best thing for his development at this time and in my opinion is to have stability and consistent playing time. Jumping between the AHL and NHL, fluctuating ice time and quality of linemates and opposition, these things can only hurt him. Once he gets a strong full year in North America under his belt, which he’s well on his way to doing, then you have more flexibility with how to handle him. I fully expect him to be a middle-six scoring winger on the Sharks next season and stay in the NHL the whole time.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

Fight (who woulda thought) and a goal lastnight:

 

[Groo]

Fight (who woulda thought) and a goal lastnight:

Not wise for him to be fighting

 

[Lavar Ball]

Got a five game point streak going

 

[Random Comment]

Got a five game point streak going

He’s doing very well on a very meh AHL team

 

[Random Comment]

Great game last night. Couple of goals, lots of other chances.

 

[Eggtimer]

Him and Holtz are going to look good together .

 

[Kcoyote3]

 

[Eye of Ra]

Him and Holtz are going to look good together .

what?

 

[Juxtaposer]

what?

The poster you quoted is obsessed with getting Meier to the Devils, which would include sending Holtz to the Sharks.

Eklund has answered all the questions I had about him coming into the year. Incredibly excited to see him on the Sharks full-time next season.

 

[thrillhous]

what?

In the World Championships in 2025?

 

[Random Comment]

The poster you quoted is obsessed with getting Meier to the Devils, which would include sending Holtz to the Sharks.

Eklund has answered all the questions I had about him coming into the year. Incredibly excited to see him on the Sharks full-time next season.

What were your concerns ?

 

[Juxtaposer]

What were your concerns ?

Health/durability, goal-scoring, play-driving, ability to adapt to North American ice.

 

[JohnLennon]

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

Already an assist.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Kid looks like he belongs. We’ll see if it’s just a cup of coffee or if he stays for the rest of the season. I think he’ll stay.

 

[OTB]

Really like this kid. I'm not quite sure what is is points/game projection at this stage but surely Sharks fans will love him.