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

[LastWordArmy]

William Eklund has spent the season with Djugardens in the SHL, and its been clear that the 18-year-old was ready to play in the country’s top men’s league on a full-time basis. Eklund put up 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points in 40 games this year. Djugardens is currently playing in the SHL Playoffs. Earlier this year, Eklund was expected to be a top-six centre for the Swedish World Junior Hockey Championship team. However, he missed the tournament after a positive COVID test.

In 2019-20 he started the year with five points in five games at the Under-18 Hlinka/Gretzky Cup, helping the Swedish team to a Bronze medal. He played 20 games in the SHL, putting up just two assists. Eklund was also held scoreless in two Champions Hockey League games. He looked more at home in the Under-20 league with 12 goals and 24 assists for 36 points in 31 games. He also made Swedish national teams at the under-17 and under-16 levels.


William Eklund Scouting Report


2021 NHL Draft #4: William Eklund Scouting Report

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[Zegs2sendhelp]

I had eklund #1 on my board... love the pick ... kinda fell to your lap (like a zegras in anaheim)

oops thought this was prospect boards

boo sharks

 

[OffSydes]

Who?

 

[canwincup]

Great pick!! You’ll love him, I think he’s going to be a star.

 

[PacificOceanPotion]

YES!!! IT HAPPENED

 

[702SHARK]

Wow ! Didn’t think he’d drop to us .

 

[Hodge]

Don't fire Doug Wilson.

 

[hohosaregood]

initial reaction: this could be the best pick we've made in like 15 years.

 

[KarlssonsGroin]

cant wait to trade him for eichel

 

[themelkman]

So 2023 we get Eklund and Bordeleau debuts.

 

[matt trick]

Don't fire Doug Wilson.

Promote Doug Wilson Jr...?

 

[themelkman]

initial reaction: this could be the best pick we've made in like 15 years.

This might be the best value pick the sharks have ever made. Hertl at 18 was close though

 

[matt trick]

So 2023 we get Eklund and Bordeleau debuts.

And Wright

 

[Prntscrn]

The type of player you love the more you watch him, such a high IQ player. Beast below the goal line

PS they didn't yell boya SÅJA!!!

 

[weastern bias]

I don't pretend to know much about prospects but given how excited people are about this kid this is f***ing awesome

 

[WTFetus]

initial reaction: this could be the best pick we've made in like 15 years.

 

[ThorNton Apologist]

Yes! I’m so happy. I think he could easily go #1 in a redraft years from now

 

[Stewie Griffin]

LETS GO! Eklund and Wright baby

 

[Nighthock]

Definitely the smart pick, which had me worried given our history.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

Doug Wilson Jr. is our hero. His father builds teams...he builds champions

 

[themelkman]

Gotta give props to our scouting team. Whatever they are doing it is damn working.

 

[anthonyyy]

Honestly the dude played in a men's league last year. He could realistically make the NHL this season.

 

[fEyD08]

Wow

 

[Hodge]

I know he has said he wants to go back to Sweden for another year but does anyone believe he isn't instantly one of our nine best forwards?

 

[91Fedorov91]

Honestly the dude played in a men's league last year. He could realistically make the NHL this season.

Yeah, I was thinking he did pretty well in the Swedish League, wouldn't he be pretty much NHL ready?