Victor Eklund (photo courtesy of the New York Islanders)
ELMONT, NY — New York Islanders top prospect Victor Eklund wanted to get his feet wet in the North American hockey pool as soon as his season with Djurgarden in Sweden’s pro league ended.
To say he is hitting the ground running is an understatement. He potted two goals with seven assists (nine points) in seven games with the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport, then got the call to make his NHL debut for Tuesday night’s season finale at UBS Arena against the Carolina Hurricanes.
“It’s a different game from SHL, of course, but I feel like I kinda figured it out,” Eklund, who was drafted 16th overall last summer, said. “It’s just exciting to play here… I wanted to get a feel for the AHL. You never know next year, but you might as well be prepared.”
Next year should feature a strong push to make the Islanders’ NHL roster on opening night. The 19-year-old right-winger is considered an elite scorer to provide the kind of surge on the flanks that New York has desperately needed for years. Game No. 82, at least, provides a sneak preview for new head coach Pete DeBoer, who will help general manager Mathieu Darche oversee what is expected to be significant roster changes this summer.
“Everyone’s looking for speed, skill, and tenacity,” DeBoer said. “I think those would probably be three of the four or five things you’d use to describe him.”
Eklund described himself as a “hard-working guy who doesn’t like to give up pucks and doesn’t like to lose.”
“I like to be in the heat,” he added.
DeBoer went as far as to compare the 5-foot-11, 161-pound prospect to Hurricanes forward Logan Stankoven, who at 23 years old is finishing up a career year in which he scored 21 goals.
“I think if we get a version of that, that’s a really good player,” DeBoer said.
For more on Victor Eklund and the Islanders, visit AMNY.com
