Sharks coach admits William Eklund 'may force our hand'
After being selected by the San Jose Sharks with the 7th pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, William Eklund made it known that his main goal was to make the big league straight out of training camp. Now his dream could become a reality.
Even though it is very early in the preseason, Eklund is making his mark on the team. He dished out 2 assists in San Jose's 4-3 loss to the Kings on Tuesday night. Head coach Bob Boughner is planning on letting things play out for the remainder of the preseason, but he can't deny that the 18-year-old has given the coaching staff a lot to think about.
«No one's made a decision either way yet," Boughner said, "but if he keeps progressing like this, he may force our hand into making this team."
No doubt this would be an impressive feat for Eklund, who was the number 1 ranked European skater going into the draft. The last Sharks' first round pick to make the NHL out of training camp was Patrick Marleau in 1997. The team could definitely use another dynamic playmaker since San Jose will likely be without Evander Kane for the foreseeable future with new allegations seeming to come out almost daily.
«He's making some great decisions with the puck,» Boughner said of Eklund. «I think it's his hockey instincts. I think it's his IQ. Certain players just have that ability that you can't really teach. It's just a patience and a vision thing."
Of course, Eklund has not faced top-tier NHL competition yet, but he has performed better than expected. Eklund could help the team bounce-back and find themselves back in playoff contention for the first time in two years.
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APRIL 24, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Kirby Dach | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Alexandre Texier | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Mackenzie Weegar | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Zachary Bolduc | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Lawson Crouse | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Mikael Granlund | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Dylan Guenther | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Brandon Hagel | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Lane Hutson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Mason McTavish | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Vasily Podkolzin | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Brayden Point | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Leo Carlsson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Logan Cooley | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jake Guentzel | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Drew Helleson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Tyson Hinds | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Clayton Keller | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Chris Kreider | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Nikita Kucherov | - | 1 | 1 | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||
| 2025-2026 NHL STANDINGS | ||||||
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Sabres | 82 | 50 | 23 | 9 | 109 | |
| Lightning | 82 | 50 | 26 | 6 | 106 | |
| Canadiens | 82 | 48 | 24 | 10 | 106 | |
| Bruins | 82 | 45 | 27 | 10 | 100 | |
| Senators | 82 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 99 | |
| Red Wings | 82 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 92 | |
| Panthers | 82 | 40 | 38 | 4 | 84 | |
| Maple Leafs | 82 | 32 | 36 | 14 | 78 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Hurricanes | 82 | 53 | 22 | 7 | 113 | |
| Penguins | 82 | 41 | 25 | 16 | 98 | |
| Flyers | 82 | 43 | 27 | 12 | 98 | |
| Capitals | 82 | 43 | 30 | 9 | 95 | |
| Blue Jackets | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 92 | |
| Islanders | 82 | 43 | 34 | 5 | 91 | |
| Devils | 82 | 42 | 37 | 3 | 87 | |
| Rangers | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Avalanche | 82 | 55 | 16 | 11 | 121 | |
| Stars | 82 | 50 | 20 | 12 | 112 | |
| Wild | 82 | 46 | 24 | 12 | 104 | |
| Mammoth | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Blues | 82 | 37 | 33 | 12 | 86 | |
| Predators | 82 | 38 | 34 | 10 | 86 | |
| Jets | 82 | 35 | 35 | 12 | 82 | |
| Blackhawks | 82 | 29 | 39 | 14 | 72 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Golden Knights | 82 | 39 | 26 | 17 | 95 | |
| Oilers | 82 | 41 | 30 | 11 | 93 | |
| Ducks | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Kings | 82 | 35 | 27 | 20 | 90 | |
| Sharks | 82 | 39 | 35 | 8 | 86 | |
| Kraken | 82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 79 | |
| Flames | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| Canucks | 82 | 25 | 49 | 8 | 58 | |
COMPLETE STANDINGS | ||||||