NHL Draft Prospect Profile: William Eklund

Sabres.com is profiling some of the top available prospects in the days leading up to the 2021 NHL Draft, which begins with Round 1 on Friday, July 23 at 8 p.m. The Sabres hold the No. 1 pick.
William Eklund, LW - Djurgardens IF (SHL) 5-foot-10, 176 pounds2020-21: 40 GP, 11 G, 12 A, 23 P

Eklund is the top-rated European skater according to NHL Central Scouting services. He is considered a creative, reliable forward who has already shown he can create offense against pro competition.
Eklund was named Rookie of the Year in the SHL last season after tallying 23 points (11+12) in 40 games. He scored 36 points (12+24) in 31 contests for Djurgardens' J20 team in 2019-20.

"To be that young and to play professionally at the SHL level and to play as well as he did - I mean, he was a go-to scorer for his team," Chris Peters of Hockey Sense told Brian Duff and Martin Biron. "He had a lot of clutch goals, made a lot of big plays. He's got good speed, good hockey sense.
"To be able to play professionally at that young an age, you have to know how to play the game. I thought that he transitioned into that so beautifully. He's a guy that I think you give him a little extra time, let him dominate at that level, he's going to take that next step and the upside for him is spectacular."

What they're saying

NHL Director of European Scouting Goran Stubb to NHL.com:
"William Eklund is a complete player, even if he is not very big (5-10, 176). He has the skills, the attitude, and he just loves the game. He's the kind of guy who goes out and makes ice in the backyard so his kid brothers can practice, and he goes out and plays with them. He's just a great player. He plays regular with Djurgarden in SHL but had a tough season because he was hurt. He missed 2021 World Junior Championship because of COVID-19 and then had an appendectomy, but every time he came back he played well; he's a real talent."

What he's saying

Eklund on how he projects to fit into an NHL roster:
"I'm gonna be a top-six forward on a team. Maybe not the first year, but work myself into that spot. I think I'm a player who brings energy to the team. I want to be an offensive threat every time I touch the puck. I want to be a guy you can count on in different situations."
Eklund on who he models his game after:
"The player I like to watch is Mathew Barzal. He's just amazing to watch. I try to look at the way he uses his edges in the corners and how fast he turns and gets out with some speed. And how good he is at finding his teammates, too."