Victor EKLUND

Left Wing
5’11/161
Right
Djurgårdens IF / HockeyAllsvenskan

Related: Anton Frondell

Victor Eklund, an 18-year-old Swedish left wing, is a top prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft. Standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 161 pounds, he currently plays for Djurgårdens IF in HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden’s second-tier professional league. In the 2024-2025 season, Eklund has been a standout performer in HockeyAllsvenskan, tallying 8 goals and 15 points in 24 games. Notably, he recorded a third-period hat trick in a game against IF Björklöven, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess and ability to perform under pressure. Victor Eklund, an 18-year-old Swedish left wing, is a top prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft. Standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 161 pounds, he currently plays for Djurgårdens IF in HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden’s second-tier professional league. Eklund is renowned for his high hockey IQ, exceptional playmaking abilities, and dynamic offensive skills. His cerebral approach to the game allows him to read plays effectively and make quick decisions, often outmaneuvering defenders with deceptive speed and agility. Eklund’s versatility is evident in his contributions across all areas of the ice. He is trusted in various situations, reflecting his strong two-way play and commitment to defensive responsibilities. As the younger brother of San Jose Sharks forward William Eklund, Victor has benefited from a competitive upbringing, which has honed his skills and work ethic. His experiences, including representing Sweden at international tournaments like the World Junior Summer Showcase, have further developed his game, making him a well-rounded and highly regarded prospect for the upcoming NHL draft.

Size/Strength Below Average
Skating Excellent
Shot/Scoring Excellent
Puckhandling Excellent
Physical Play Below Average
Offensive Play Excellent
Defensive Good
Hockey Sense Excellent
Competitiveness Good

Strengths

1. Eklund plays with NHL pace already, constantly looking to amp up the game’s speed with his skating and passing in transition. He plays with some jam, throwing hits and mixing it up after the whistle.
2. Outstanding skater who creates calamity in open space. He’s the type of player you put on the ice late in the game because you need to generate something dangerous and you know he can do it.
3. Has an intense motor, capable of producing and processing high IQ plays at very high speed, moving smartly through the ice, and with a quick change of direction to create space and shoot.

Areas of Improvement

1. Undersized Winger.
2. Needs to Adapt to North American game.
3. Not a great defensive player, at this point in his career.

Scouting Report

The brother of William Eklund, Victor is a player with an intense motor, capable of producing and processing high IQ plays at very high speed, moving smartly through the ice, and with a quick change of direction to create space and shoot, a skill he admired in his brother, as he’s said himself, allowing him to do quick turn in tight areas. Eklund plays with NHL pace already, constantly looking to amp up the game’s speed with his skating and passing in transition. He plays with some jam, throwing hits and mixing it up after the whistle. He’s a crafty, creative, quick-strike forward who pushes the play in open ice. On balance, he prefers to direct pucks on the net over setting up his linemates. He’s an elusive skater who can spin off checks in tight quarters and escape traffic to create offense. His cerebral approach to the game allows him to read plays effectively and make quick decisions, often outmaneuvering defenders with deceptive speed and agility. Even when he isn’t putting up points, the winger goes all out all the time, and he has the hands to keep up with his feet. Eklund is an outstanding skater who creates calamity in open space. He’s the type of player you put on the ice late in the game because you need to generate something dangerous and you know he can do it. Eklund’s versatility is evident in his contributions across all areas of the ice. He is trusted in various situations, reflecting his strong two-way play and commitment to defensive responsibilities. Victor Eklund’s NHL comparison is Jesper Bratt of the New Jersey Devils, a player who is of similar build to Eklund and has a very similar skillset. William Eklund has been one of the standout players at the 2025 U20 WJC in Ottawa for Sweden, where he has scored 2 goals and 4 points in 3 games so far. Scouts will be keeping a close eye on him the whole tournament and he will be able to improve his draft stock with a great WJC. The combination of high hockey IQ, exceptional playmaking abilities, and dynamic offensive skills makes Victor Eklund one of the top prospects in the 2025 NHL Draft, and he could even be considered a top 5 talent. He projects to be a Top 6 Play driving winger in the future for any team that drafts him, although it may take 2 or 3 years for him to be fully NHL-ready.

Skill: Dynamic, Play-driving winger with elite playmaking abilities and IQ

NHL Comparable: Jesper Bratt

NHL Potential: Top 6 Playmaking Winger

Season	Team	League	GP	G	PTS
2023-24	Djugardens IF	HockeyAllsvenskan	30	3	10
	Sweden U18 (all)	International-Jr	26	9	27
2024-25	Djurgardens IF	HockeyAllsvenskan	24	8	15
	Sweden U20	WJC-20	3	2	4