San Jose Sharks
Eklund’s 1st NHL Goal Ray of Light for Tired Sharks Fans
For a moment, San Jose Sharks fans remembered that they were primarily fans of the Sharks, and not of free tacos or a 25.5 percent chance at Connor Bedard.
William Eklund, the San Jose Sharks’ top prospect, scored his first NHL goal in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Sharks, at the moment, are contending for the top Draft lottery odds with the Blue Jackets.
An announced 10,127 saw it, but what, maybe 6,000 or so people were actually here at SAP Center, weekday game, bad match-up, worse weather.
The seventh-overall pick of the 2021 Draft appeared in nine games for the San Jose Sharks last season and notched four assists. This season, in six contests now, he has a goal and an assist.
🚨 FIRST NHL GOAL FOR @Williameklund72! pic.twitter.com/66b9JjNIiU
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) March 15, 2023
“It was a good battle in the corner. Hertl got it up to [Pouliot],” Eklund said. “Pully sent it to the net and I was able to tap in.”
Eklund (72) deserves a little credit too, for crashing the net at the exact moment that Derrick Pouliot (55) delivered his shot. It’s a good, basic read.
The big bodies on the ice too, Tomas Hertl (48) and Evgeny Svechnikov (10) were also instrumental too.
The much-maligned Hertl, in my opinion, has been back to his old ways in recent weeks with his customary strong puck protection, and he holds off 6-foot-3 Andrew Peeke (2) with world-class authority.
Meanwhile, Svechnikov occupies Jack Roslovic (96) and also screens Daniil Tarasov on Pouliot’s shot, setting up Eklund’s big moment.
“It’s special, of course. It’s something all kids dream of, first goal in the NHL,” the 20-year-old said. “Been waiting a while for this and had a lot of chances. So it was nice to finally get this one, keep on going from here.”
Congrats @Williameklund72! @hockeyshots on it with these fabulous pics! pic.twitter.com/HUFod0MwIL
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 15, 2023
Eklund also reported that he has the puck from his first-ever goal.
For the San Jose Sharks as a franchise, hopefully their wunderkind can “keep on going from here.”
They’re headed to four years and running out of the playoffs, and reeling from trading homegrown star winger Timo Meier to the New Jersey Devils at the Trade Deadline for mostly futures, the fanbase could use something to look forward to now.
They got a glimpse of the future tonight, and paid it back in kind.
Huge applause when they announce it's Eklund's 1st goal. That's genuinely nice to hear
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 15, 2023
The applause was louder for Eklund's first goal announcement than for the free tacos announcement…good! Hasn't always been the case in this tough year 😆
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 15, 2023
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Labanc 14:02 ice time!!! And a goal!!!! And Knyzhov!!! Eklund so looks like Linblom
I’m agree with Brown’s post game rant about the 3 players not getting back to help Kappo. That was just unsat – but it was Hertl EK and Eklund won’t be held accountable- but if it were Labanc he’d definitely would be a healthy scratch next game. The Sharks should have won this game.
I think the helmets add to the Eklund and Linblom look alike situation. Eklund already knows what he’s going to look like at 26 years of age!
Quinn should require Limblom grow a delighful Walrus Mustache (English Mustache acceptable) for the sake of the television audience.
Can’t forget the Knyzhov goal. Still firmly in the top 3 pick race and we got to see Eklund and Kny score also Pouliot looked pretty good.
I remember watching the draft when penguins drafted pouliot. I remember thinking wow that’s not a good pick…bit if a face palm moment. 4 or 5 teams later he’s playing much better, he’s bulked up a little it seems. He’s playing smart too. Would like to see him without Ferraro, I wonder if he could work with Vlasic or maybe Macdonald. That would be exciting to have a guy who could contribute on the bottom pairing without being a black hole defensively, so to speak.
i look forward to more from Eklund next season.
This kid is the deal.
Imagine Meier-hertl-eklund. That would’ve been a pretty nice top line. Even if we moved Meier to coutures line we would’ve still been looking pretty good. Meier-Hertl-eklund Bordelaeu-couture-svechnikov Not too shabby. I like svechnikov game btw, I know he’s not living up to his draft status but he’s got a long reach, he’s a bit feisty and he has a good enough shot to score goals if he needs to. What about barabonov? In my ideal lineup, he’s not in the top 6. Yes I know he’s basically a top 6 forward only but I don’t really like his defensive game… Read more »
I agree with everything except your take on Barabanov, I feel he’s a pretty effective puck protector (much better than Hertl has been thru most the season until recently when he woke up after the Meier trade..) and he’s great on the forecheck coming up with pucks and that skill set extends to the D zone IMO
if the Sharks were good, Barabanov would be a 3W.
I think AB is fine as the third-best player on a very good line, like he was with Timo and Hertl. And he could cut it as a 2W on a good team, but yea, pretty much better be your 6th-best forward. Any higher is a stretch
except for the fact that line was better with KL on it than with AB.
w/KL: xGF/60 3.42; xGF% 58.15
w/AB: xGF/60 2.76; xGF% 47.43
Whitney ended up having a better career than Nolan!
he did, but Owen was the better goal scorer and 200-ft player.
that Eklund goal looked a lot like Timo’s first goal with NJD