San Jose Sharks
BREAKING: Sharks Draft William Eklund
The San Jose Sharks have drafted William Eklund with the seventh pick of the 2021 NHL Draft.
Eklund is an 18-year-old who starred as a teenager for Djurgårdens IF.
Per Elite Prospects Draft Guide: “He’s still the draft’s most gifted offensive forward, and probably its most credible dual-threat scorer. He’s dynamic, makes plays at pace, and is comfortable in the small-area game as he is in space.”
#SJSharks select William Eklund 7th overall. I ranked him 1st overall.
Eklund scored at one of the highest rates of any draft year player in SHL history. He's got a near 3/4 chance of becoming a star; if he doesn't become something good, it'll be a near unprecedented surprise. pic.twitter.com/1Ib6m0ax4S
— Patrick Bacon (@TopDownHockey) July 24, 2021
It’s been a while since the San Jose Sharks have drafted so high. Their last top-10 pick was 2015, when they picked Timo Meier ninth. This seventh-overall pick is their highest since they selected Milan Michalek sixth in 2003.
The San Jose Sharks will make Doug Wilson and Eklund available to the media shortly.
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I’ve heard great things about XXX, can’t wait to hear him speaking with Doug Wilson
Haha you got me, I thought I fixed it before it was out too long. I do think a lot of Sharks fans are having pretty pornographic feelings about Eklund dropping!
For sure, definitely shocked he fell to #7 and very happy.
I’m really surprised that he dropped to #7. I hope that his scoring touch translates, because we sure need it!
lol wow
Woooo, so happy we got him!
Welcome to Team Teal, William!! You’re drumming up some excitement here in San Jose!!
So happy about this. I for sure thought Detroit was going to take him but they took the other Swede thank god.
The Wings and Ducks went off the reservation and that let Eklund fall to us. There is a hockey god.
That Johnson pick really upturned the board, I think
Stop talking to those scouts Sheng
Nope! Even good sources aren’t infallible!
I’m a little worried about the lack of size in our prospect pool, but this kid seems like a good pick. Can’t wait to see what he can do on the smaller North American ice.
Sheng, are you going to do an in depth profile or interview with William?
My thoughts as well..was almost hoping they might take Guenther as he can conceivably put 15-20lbs on his 6’1″ frame and looks like he has the composure to translate to success in nhl, but I liked Eklund a lot as well. He looks like he could be one of the smaller guys who can operate in tight space with bodies on or around him.
Even though smaller guys are getting more chances in the NHL, you still want talented guys with size even in your forwards if possible.
he’s playing in a top men’s league and handling them well. bigger ice, but he should transition well. i think he’s got a very high star % potential. if given more time in the SHL he should be a good to great NHL’er.
If the system was deeper, maybe you start to think more about specific needs, but at this point, I think it’s just about as getting as much talent as possible
i’ve seen him shake off SHL d-men draped all over him and then escape with his speed/puck-handling. his vision and thinking/pace is next level good-at least as good if not better than any other player in this draft. this is a STEAL!
I will speak with him more for sure!
nice to have top tier talent in the pipeline in my lifetime!