Eklund Will Miss This Weekend’s Barracuda Games

William Eklund will not play this weekend for the San Jose Barracuda.

That’s what I’m hearing, as we still try to deduce the full extent of the top San Jose Sharks prospect’s injury, suffered on Wednesday in Colorado.

Eklund met the Colorado Eagles’ Nate Clurman in the corner in the second period of the Mar. 22 game and came out holding his arm.

William Eklund hurt here pic.twitter.com/kp80aagTVZ

— JD Young (@MyFryHole) March 23, 2023

After multiple viewings, if I were to hazard a guess, I’d say it’s a left shoulder injury.

“He was gonna do some more testing here. I talked to the Cuda guys yesterday,” San Jose Sharks head coach David Quinn said this afternoon. “We’ll know more in the next few days.”

On Mar. 23, Quinn called Eklund’s injury possibly day-to-day. In fairness to him, it was a preliminary diagnosis. But at this point, it’s fair to wonder if Eklund’s injury will stretch out beyond day-to-day.

The Barracuda’s next contest after this weekend’s two-game homestand against the Bakersfield Condors is Mar. 31 in Cedar Park versus the Texas Stars.

If Eklund can get back by then, he’ll have eight games to lead the San Jose Sharks’ AHL affiliate into the playoffs. The Barracuda are currently three points behind the Tucson Roadrunners for the final playoff spot in the Pacific Division, their final regular season tilt Apr. 15.