Victor Eklund Scouting Report After Being Selected by Islanders

Scouting Report

The word that comes to mind for Victor Eklund is "tenacity." He's first in on the forecheck, aided by good skating. He's relentlessly harassing puck possessors. And if his team turns the puck over or he's beaten as the first layer on a forecheck, he's a lock to stay with the play and make a second attempt to force a turnover.

The 18-year-old measures at 5'11" but is nonetheless an effective wall player. His perseverance through contact is remarkable, and you won't be able to count the number of times an opposing player seems to have pinned him to the wall, only for Eklund to squirm his way out.

Eklund is also creative on the puck. In conjunction with the wall play, the Swedish winger takes pucks from the perimeter and finds ways to the interior, either by forcing his way into dangerous territory or by quickly finding passing options around the net to exploit vulnerabilities created after the turnovers he causes.

Although his numbers in Sweden's second league imply he is more of a shooter than a passer, his upside as a playmaker may be higher. He's going to score some goals by scavenging around the net, but his distance shooting needs work. Meanwhile, the passing sequences he made himself party to were often the more impressive feat.

Vitals

Position: LW/RW

Age on Draft Day: 18.73

Height, Weight: 5'11", 169 lbs

2024-25 Stats (Allsvenskan): 42 GP, 19 G, 12 A

Loose Comparables

Brendan Gallagher (prime years)

Chris Kunitz

Travis Konecny