EXCLUSIVE: William Eklund Breaks Down His Sharks Tape | SJHN+

Imagine getting to study game film with a 19-year-old Erik Karlsson.

Learning from a future master of the game, who’s just coming into his full powers.

That’s what I thought about when I got a chance to sit down with 2021 first-round pick William Eklund — before he got re-assigned — and break down his game tape.

Not to put that kind of pressure on Eklund — his San Jose Sharks teammate is a future Hall of Famer — but the 19-year-old winger, like Karlsson was, is a hockey prodigy with a singular way of looking at the game.

“I’m just trying to play my game,” Eklund offered, “just create some space for my teammates.”

That’s what he did, despite notching just four assists in nine NHL games and getting sent back to Djurgårdens.

Eklund is back in North America now, gearing up for the World Junior Championships with Team Sweden.

So what did this hockey prodigy see in his first encounter with the best league in the world? Eklund examined his play, good and bad, with San Jose Hockey Now.

The First Point

William Eklund’s first NHL point was typical Eklund.

It’s subtle: But how did Eklund (72) leave Adam Lowry (17) up high, a step behind?