The San Jose Sharks have a collection of exciting young talents. We've ranted and raved over the skills of Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini, but one member of this young group is flying under the radar this year. Sharks fans have beloved William Eklund for many years, but the league-wide fascination with the two teenagers has let Eklund fly under the radar, and he's starting to become a star for Team Teal. He's starting to hit that next level.
In 71 games this season, Eklund has set a career-high in goals with 17 and a career-high in assists with 38 for a breakout of 55 points in 71 games. That's an excellent sign for San Jose's 22-year-old winger. There will be growing pains as this is still just his second entire season in the NHL, but the explosion offensively, helped by the veterans added to the roster this summer, has left the Sharks in a great place.
San Jose will look to turn his explosive talent into game-breaking talent, but they need to continue to help him strengthen the defensive side of his game. While this isn't the completed article defensively, he's been better than most Sharks players. Where San Jose will want him to improve is getting him over the hump and into the Selke Trophy conversation because he has the talent to get into it.
Eklund will need time to finish becoming the star he can be. He's got to develop a touch because the Sharks need him to become the finished article before they can completely turn their attention to Celebrini and Smith. With players like Yaroslav Askarov, Shakir Mukhamadullin, Quentin Musty, and Luca Cagnoni coming through, the Sharks need him to finish reaching his potential because they have a whole crop of brilliance to bring into the team to support him.