The New York Islanders’ 2025 Draft Class has its first signee. The organization inked F Victor Eklund to a three-year, entry-level deal.
The Islanders drafted Eklund, 18, with the 16th overall pick in the 2025 Draft, a complete and total steal in that position. A consensus top-ten talent, Eklund ranked seventh in Elite Prospects’ consolidated rankings. Eklund has clear top-line potential, is an elite skater with high hockey sense. Yes, he is William Eklund’s (SJS) brother.
Eklund stated he plans on playing 2025-26 in Sweden with Djurgårdens after the Islanders drafted him. Signing his entry-level deal does not change that. He likely will still play in Sweden, with the Islanders loaning him there, which slides his ELC by one year, meaning he’s under contract through 2029, unless he plays 10+ NHL games this season.
EP compares him to Seth Jarvis and Travis Konecny, two of the best penalty-killers in the NHL, along with both producing 30+ goal seasons.
In the SHL this past season, Eklund posted 19 goals and 31 points in 42 games. In the postseason, he added two goals and seven points across 16 games. With Sweden’s World Juniors team, Eklund posted seven goals and 11 points in 14 games.