Eklund is immediately noticeable every time he’s on the ice, and not because he’s flashy – because he’s relentless. He saved his best for the gold medal game at the World Juniors, scoring a power play goal before making a huge effort play in the dying seconds of Sweden’s first gold since 2012. That tells you something about who he is as a competitor. He doesn’t play at maximum speed all the time, varying his pace to the read in front of him – he uses his hockey IQ to make simple plays, he’s underrated physically for his size, he’s good along the boards, and he creates controlled chaos around the puck. Willing to absorb pressure, gets back defensively, and has real upside on both sides of the ice. There is a lot of Seth Jarvis in him – a high-motor winger who earns his ice time through compete and finds ways to contribute in all situations. His playmaking and defensive work are ahead of where the raw production suggests. In an interview he did with Hockey News SE after his Djurgardens team failed to advance in the play-in round of the SEL playoffs, Eklund indicated that he was ready to take the big step of coming over to play in North America, as soon as the 2026-2027 season. It will be up to the Islanders where in the organization he will ply his trade – a stint in Bridgeport seems the most likely at this time.

Eklund is a smart, playmaking winger with slick hands and excellent offensive instincts. He sees the ice well, creating space for teammates with quick decisions and deceptive puck movement.

Eklund recently signed his entry-level contract with the New York Islanders, confirming he will either play in the NHL or Sweden next year. His production in the Allsvenskan is among the greatest of all time, projecting him as an elite player. How often does an 18-year-old lead a professional team in goalscoring? Not too often, and Eklund did that last year. While a bit undersized at the moment, there are plenty of smaller forwards who go on to have lengthy, successful NHL careers because they play larger than their size. Eklund is one of those forwards. The soft skills in tight are elite, and while he may never be the sole driver of play, he will do everything he can to support his linemates and make the smartest plays consistently. Expect another big season in Sweden next year with Eklund making the jump to NHL action by the end of the 2026-27 campaign.

Selected 16th overall, Victor Eklund is now a member of the New York Islanders.

Eklund is putting up one of the best statistical seasons for a first-time draft-eligible player in HockeyAllsvenskan since Elias Petersson. Playing for a Djurgardens program with tons of draft-eligible talent this season, it’s been Eklund who’s earned the club’s trust with consistent minutes with the men’s club. Eklund’s pace of play is advanced for his age, as he moves quickly and very decisively. He can absolutely rip a puck and score from short and medium ranges in addition to being a skilled playmaker. Like his brother, William, Victor is undersized, but he’s just as dynamic as the elder Eklund, maybe even more. The size will always be a concern, but his brother has played at the NHL level, and Victor has had no issues playing against men so far in his career. If all goes well with Eklund, he has top-line potential as a high-octane point-producing winger.

While not the fastest skater, Eklund’s anticipation and creativity make him a constant threat on the power play. He has a relentless motor, and although he lacks size, he plays with a noticeable edge and physicality that should quickly earn the respect of both coaches and Islanders fans alike.

Final Rankings – Victor Eklund is your stereotypical “does whatever it takes to win” player. Despite his lack of stature, his physicality and his ability to handle opponents’ physicality are arguably his best assets. Combine those two qualities with passion and explosiveness, and you’ve got a player that every coach would love to have in their lineup. Eklund doesn’t resist pressure; he pushes through it, powering along the boards before driving inside for a scoring opportunity. His playmaking ability shines from behind the net, where he regularly slips passes through pressure to the crease and low slot. He creates space to pull off these plays by leveraging his smaller frame to shield defenders from the puck. Eklund also boasts a shot that deceives goaltenders by how quickly he releases it. He’s shifty and evasive, which allows him to carry pucks in transition and be extremely effective on the rush, as well as hard to contain in tight spaces. Eklund’s pace of play and intensity build the foundation of a strong energy winger. Still, it’s his intelligence, creativity, and skill that may allow him to develop into a complementary top-six scorer with an edge. The beast is only going to get stronger.—