The New York Islanders organization took a significant step towards solidifying its future pipeline today, officially announcing the signing of forward Victor Eklund to a three-year, entry-level contract. The agreement brings the Islanders` 2025 first-round draft pick into the fold, marking his formal entry into the National Hockey League system.
Eklund, an 18-year-old native of Stockholm, Sweden, was selected 16th overall by the Islanders during the June 2025 NHL Entry Draft. His signing represents the next phase in his development as he aims to transition from European professional leagues to the North American game.
Eklund`s Path to the Pros
Prior to being drafted, Eklund played for Djurgardens in HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden`s second-highest professional league. During the 2024-2025 season, he demonstrated promising offensive capabilities, recording 31 points (19 goals, 12 assists) in 42 games. Playing against older competition in a professional setting provided valuable experience and likely contributed to his high draft stock.
On the international stage, Eklund has also represented Sweden. He participated in the past two World Junior Championships, earning a bronze medal in the 2024 tournament. These experiences against top players in his age group further highlighted his potential and readiness for higher levels of competition.
The Context of the Pick
It is worth noting that the 16th overall pick used to select Eklund was not originally the Islanders`. The selection, along with the 17th overall pick in the same draft, was acquired from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for defenseman Noah Dobson. This trade was a significant move for the Islanders, signaling a strategic shift towards acquiring high-end draft capital in return for an established NHL player.
The acquisition of two first-round picks, capped by the selection and subsequent signing of Eklund, underscores the organization`s commitment to rebuilding or significantly bolstering its prospect pool. Trading a player of Dobson`s caliber for draft picks places a certain degree of expectation on the players selected, perhaps implicitly adding a layer of pressure on Eklund to develop into a key contributor down the line. The initial return on investment for such a trade often hinges on the success of the prospects acquired; in this case, Eklund is a central figure in that equation.
What Comes Next
Signing an entry-level contract is standard procedure for drafted prospects and makes Eklund eligible to play for the Islanders in the NHL or their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders. While his immediate placement for the upcoming season remains to be seen, it is common for young European prospects to spend time adjusting to the smaller North American rink size and different style of play, whether in the AHL or potentially even returning to Europe for another year, depending on development camp performance and training camp evaluations. However, as a first-round pick, he will undoubtedly be given every opportunity to earn a roster spot.
Victor Eklund`s signing is an exciting development for the Islanders faithful. It brings a promising young forward one step closer to potentially making an impact at the NHL level and represents the tangible outcome of a significant organizational decision to invest in future talent via the draft.