Victor Eklund is spending his first New York Islanders training camp with a built-in support system, and the Swedish connection around him has made the adjustment look pretty smooth.
Simon Holmstrom and Emil Heineman have been helping the 19-year-old settle in to life in North America, but they’re also getting a front-row seat to why the Islanders view him as one of their top prospects. Holmstrom didn’t hesitate when asked what stands out.
"He's very intense out there," Holmstrom said. "He never gives up on a play.
He's fast. He's got some great vision as well.
He puts the puck in net, and he's just a great competitor."
Eklund has backed that up on the ice. He scored in both rookie scrimmages against the New Jersey Devils, then found the net again during an Islanders scrimmage on the second day of training camp. On Sunday, he got a look on a line with Cal Ritchie and Ondrej Palat against New Jersey.
Heineman has noticed how Eklund handles pressure in tight spaces.
"He's a really skilled player," Heineman said. "What I notice, especially the small-area games where he really sneaks by or is able to get past a little bit just to handle the puck and give a good pass."
Eklund arrived at camp after a strong start to his pro career in North America. He posted 10 points, with three goals and seven assists, in nine AHL games with Bridgeport last season before making his NHL debut in the Islanders' season finale.
After returning to Sweden following the 2025 draft, he is now trying to leave his mark in his first NHL camp. The Islanders’ Swedish contingent has made that easier, with Eklund close to Calle Odelius and Holmstrom and Heineman both making a point to help him away from the rink as well.
"We are always trying to take care of him here on the rink and stuff like that," Heineman said. "It's actually a pretty good crew now."
And so far, Eklund’s game is doing plenty of the talking.
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