No Matter What, Eklund Will Stay in San Jose This Year

William Eklund is here in San Jose to stay.

After the morning skate for the 2022 Rookie Faceoff, Eklund let local media know that whether he starts the year with the Sharks or the Barracuda, he plans to remain in San Jose for the season.

Now beginning his second season in the San Jose Sharks system, Eklund spoke more about his current mindset, his readiness for the NHL compared to last year, and getting to “be a tourist” in the Bay Area.

Eklund, on the importance of being ready for camp:

You want to be ready. I know the feeling of being sent back last year. I don’t want to have that feeling again. I just want to play my game. I think if I play my game, I hope they’re gonna see that there.

Eklund, on how he thinks he compares to the rest of the Sharks roster:

I think it’s better this year actually. Obviously, I’ve gained some some muscle and got a lot of experience from last year when I was here. I want to look at the best players on the team and approach everyday at the rink as a professional. And I think there’s been a good feeling in the group.

Eklund, on if he’s thought about returning to Sweden this season if he doesn’t make the San Jose Sharks:

Yeah, I’m gonna stay here.

Eklund, on his Rookie Faceoff linemates Thomas Bordeleau and Scott Reedy:

Both guys are tremendous players. Thomas is a great guy down the middle and makes good plays and Reedy’s a sniper. So I think and hope we can do something great together out there.

Eklund, on exploring San Francisco with his dad:

It was good. We went to a [San Francisco] Giants game, Alcatraz and those stuff. Went a little tourist there with my dad. He was here for one week … and he liked it a lot.

That was my first time too. So it was really cool. A lot of history, so it was nice.

Eklund, on the new teal helmets:

I like them actually.

Eklund, on donning teal skates:

I don’t know about that. We’ll see, we’ll see.

Eklund, on if Bordeleau is the one guy that he can see willing to wear teal skates:

I think so too.

Eklund says he’s staying in North America no matter what this year, NHL or AHL. Has added more than 7 pounds of muscle, can see the difference in Captain’s Skates this year as opposed to last season

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 16, 2022