Islanders Decision on Eklund Looming

The Islanders struck gold when they selected Victor Eklund 16th overall in the 2025 NHL draft. Despite his "small" size listed at 5' 11'" and 175 pounds at the start of this season, he has already shown that he can throw his weight around against professionals from the SHL to the AHL and now the NHL. At this point, the question is not if Victor Eklund will be an impact NHLer; it's if he's ready to be one right now or if it would be better for him to marinate longer in the AHL with the Hamilton Hammers. 

On one hand, Eklund has absolutely passed the eye test. His line with Brayden Schenn centered by Calum Ritchie was one of the most exciting for the Islanders early on. Eklund in particular has been one of the few Islanders to crash the net consistently while also forcing turnovers with his relentless forecheck. He's been one of the most energized forwards on the team consistently through seven games. 

That is not to say things have been perfect with Eklund's rookie stint so far. While passing the eye test, the points have not come yet, with Eklund only having a single goal and an assist heading into Ottawa tonight. Production is not everything in the NHL, especially with the small sample size, but it cannot be ignored either, especially when he has been given top 6 deployment with the Islanders so far this season. It is worth noting that the early Schenn-Ritchie-Eklund line has struggled heavily recently after their hot start, even if that is not all on the rookie wing. Perhaps Eklund just needs a bit more time to get going, but time is not exactly on his side.

Having played seven games this season, the Islanders have three more games to evaluate Eklund's play before they determine if they'd like to burn the first year of his ELC. If they do decide he needs more time and send him down, he would go to the Hammers in the AHL, where he could be called back if needed. In the AHL last season, Eklund put up 10 points in 9 games, which does bring the question of how much more there is for him to learn at that level.

Considering that, even if sent down, Eklund would likely be the first call-up in case of injury, it's doubtful the Islanders are too concerned about the ELC which will likely be burnt no matter what by end of season. The bigger factor here is the incoming return of Matthew Barzal, which will inevitably push a name out of the Islanders' top 6. With the success Barzal had playing with Schenn and Richie at the end of last season, that name is likely to be Eklund.

The question becomes: is it better to play your star prospect in the AHL where they can dominate or in a bottom 6 role in the NHL? On most teams, the answer would be the AHL, but considering how evenly head coach Pete DeBoer has played his forward lines so far this season, Eklund should still get adequate opportunities in the NHL even if it's a third- or fourth-line role. With how well he does the little things and handles the physicality of the NHL so far, it seems it would be better for him to learn playing in the NHL while also providing the Islanders a much-needed spark.

One final thing working in his favor is that the Islanders never called a player up after Romanov went down for the season, so when Barzal is ready to return to the lineup, there is no need to send a player down.