Oct 3, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders right wing Victor Eklund (38) celebrates his first career goal during the third period against the New Jersey Devils at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
ELMONT, NY — Victor Eklund’s game can be completely encompassed by his first career NHL goal, which he snagged in Saturday night’s 6-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils.
Up 3-0 midway through the second period, the Islanders’ rookie forward crashed the net off an offensive-zone face-off to put pressure on Devils goalie Nico Daws. When the rebound bounced out to the left boards and gave Dawson Mercer a chance to make an easy clear, the 20-year-old Eklund harried the New Jersey forward into a turnover, got to the middle of the ice, and took a pass from Cal Ritchie before popping a forehand wrister into the roof of the net.
“I still have goosebumps,” Eklund admitted on Monday. “It creates a big smile on me every day every time I watch it. I can’t believe it.”
Eklund’s skill play has lived up to the hype. It’s a major reason why the Islanders took him No. 16 overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, but it’s his work off the puck that has caught the eyes of his teammates and coaches just two games into the 2026-27 season.
“He does little things on the ice that may not be noticeable to the fan or the people watching, but when you play with him, just the little details of getting in guys’ ways, taking sticks away,” veteran forward Brayden Schenn told amNewYork. “I don’t have to go through them all… He makes it easier on his linemates because he’s so smart.”
That was not the only time the word “smart” was uttered when describing the young Swede.
“It’s always easier to coach a smart player; it doesn’t matter their age,” Islanders head coach Pete DeBoer said. “And he’s a really smart player. He’s got a really good hockey IQ. You have a handful of guys on your team that you go find them the day after the game with a clip; they know what it is before you even press play. He’s one of those guys. There are other guys where there’s a blank stare.”
Eklund’s all-around game has helped him shoot up to the pros after coming over from Swedish club Durgardens IF in March. By April, he made his NHL debut, recording an assist in the regular-season finale against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Through three NHL games, he has three points, and in no way looks out of place on the Islanders’ second line alongside Schenn and Cal Ritchie.
“I think he understands that this is what gets you more ice time, and that’s what gets you in the NHL,” Schenn said. “That’s what keeps you in the NHL, right? If you can understand that a young age and realize there’s lots of skilled players in the world, it’s the guys that are smart and play both ends of the ice are the ones that end up getting more ice time and more trust.”
“I have a lot of confidence right now due to the team doing so good,” Eklund added. “Getting rid of the first goal kind of quick is definitely good for the confidence.”
For more on Victor Eklund and the Islanders, visit AMNY.com
