San Jose Sharks

Ex-NHL Head Coach Details What He’s Liked About Eklund (+)

Published

1 year ago

March 13, 2023

Sheng Peng

Credit: Hockey Shots/Dean Tait

One ex-NHL head coach is impressed by what he’s seeing from William Eklund.

Five games into the 2021 first-rounder’s second San Jose Sharks stint – the then-teenager had four assists in nine games to begin last season before getting returned to Sweden – Eklund has just one assist.

But the points should be coming, if the 20-year-old keeps making the plays that he made in Saturday’s 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild.

I thought it was the winger’s best offensive performance since his call-up last weekend. Per Natural Stat Trick, Eklund was on the ice for seven High-Danger chances for and just three against at 5-on-5, his best ratio over the last week (going backwards from the St. Louis Blues’ game to his Washington Capitals season debut, 4-2, 2-6, 1-3, 1-7).

San Jose Sharks head coach David Quinn was also complimentary, “He had a really good game.”

Sharks Locker Room: Svechnikov on Fleury Clash, Quinn Wants Team To Stand Up For Itself More

It wasn’t just coach-speak, if you believe the coach that I asked about two Eklund plays that stood out to me last night.

This content is for SJHN+ subscribers only. Get this exclusive content and an ad-free experience for only $4.49 per month or get your first year for just $39.99!

Current subscribers, please log in to view.

Welcome to your new home for San Jose Sharks breaking news, analysis and opinion. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and don't forget to subscribe to SJHN+ for all of our members-only content from Sheng Peng and the National Hockey Now network plus an ad-free browsing experience.