William Eklund is entering his 5th season in the Sharks organization, and for what will likely be his 3rd season as a full-time NHL player, and his last season on his ELC, before his 3-year $5.6 AAV contract kicks in. A fair price for the Swedish winger who took his game to the next step by scoring a career high 58 points last season. But what does he need to do next season to take his game to the next level?
According to Eklund, in a recent interview with John Scott on the Dropping the Gloves Podcast, he mentioned that a key area for improvement was his shot, an area he has improved over his time in the NHL. Still, if he can improve it another notch, he can open up his game offensively. Eklund is known for his playmaking and hockey sense, but if he becomes more of a shooting threat, he is only going to open up his playmaking even more. Another area Eklund can improve is attacking the middle of the ice more; Eklund has seen a lot of success when he goes to the net with and without the puck. So, attacking the middle of the ice with and without the puck more consistently should help him be a more consistent offensive threat on a game-to-game basis.
A lot of Eklund’s weaknesses are common for players of his profile, as a more diminutive pass-first winger, and as he continues to mature and get stronger, those areas of his game should see improvement with time. Looking at the defensive side of his game, Eklund is a solid two-way player and one of the team's top options on the PK. While there is always room for improvement, the development of his two-way game has progressed nicely at the NHL level. The biggest question with Eklund is his ceiling. While he has improved every season in the NHL, it’s fair to wonder if his production has more to do with his deployment than his actual talent level. While he is a skilled player, he doesn't possess a truly elite quality. I believe this question is largely why the Sharks settled for a 3-year deal as opposed to a long-term contract we have seen for other players his age. While this could be the case, it doesn’t mean Eklund isn’t worth a long-term investment. Even if he is not a top-line caliber forward, he is still a valuable piece as a versatile winger who can play on both special teams.
I believe there is more to Eklund’s game; however, if he can improve his consistency and attack mentality, he can be a point-per-game scorer and a potential long-term linemate for Macklin Celebrini. Eklund also has the potential to be a leader for the Next Sharks core. He hates losing, and that mentality is something the Sharks need more of if they're going to take the necessary steps to improve.