NEWARK, NJ - Cole Eiserman does not sound like a guy throwing around compliments lightly. So when the Islanders prospect lit up talking about Victor Eklund’s third-period goal, it said plenty about the kind of shot the 16th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft showed off.
Eklund scored at 7:50 of the third after starting the play with a pass in mind on a 2-on-1 rush. Instead of forcing the feed to linemate Cam Berg, he chose to fire the puck himself, and the result drew immediate praise from Eiserman.
“Yeah, he has a pretty unique release," Eiserman said. "It’s kind of like a sling.
He doesn’t really - I’m sure if there was no one in the stands and he was the only one out there, you could really hear it come off his stick. I think a lot of guys have that snap, where his is kind of like a slinger, which is pretty sweet.
The way he can get it off, and it’s so quick. I think that’s just sweet and silky, and the way he can just sling it was perfect.
It was a big goalie too, so it was impressive.
“He faked pass a little bit and really just slung it up there. I mean, it was impressive.”
Eklund wasn’t eager to dress it up afterward. He said he knows that type of shot well and put the finish down to being in the right spot.
"I just shoot, and I’m pretty familiar with that kind of shot," Eklund said. "So, yeah, I was lucky today.”
But the way he described the sequence made clear he was reading the defense as the rush developed.
"I just got the puck on the rush and looked to pass it, but I feel like the D was already there," Eklund said. "So, I just tried to just rip it on the left side."
That kind of deception is exactly what caught the eye of rookie camp head coach Jay McKee.
"I think he disguised it well too," McKee said. "He's a deceptive player.
He can look one way, shoot the other. I don't think anyone knows what he's doing with the puck.
He's got the ability to make some great passes as well. So the goalie has to respect the pass at the same time.
And yeah, it was a it was a bit of a laser. So good for him."
Eklund is not guaranteed a spot on the Islanders’ opening night roster, but if he keeps uncorking shots like that while still bringing the other tools he showed on the ice, the opportunity with the big club won’t be far behind.
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