{"id":454221,"date":"2024-10-28T08:19:51","date_gmt":"2024-10-28T12:19:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=454221"},"modified":"2024-10-28T08:19:51","modified_gmt":"2024-10-28T12:19:51","slug":"san-jose-sharks-left-winger-remains-asset-amidst-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/10\/28\/san-jose-sharks-left-winger-remains-asset-amidst-injury\/","title":{"rendered":"San Jose Sharks Left Winger Remains an Asset Amidst Injury"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the ongoing injuries and the racked-up penalty minutes, the San Jose Sharks<\/a> are looking to catch a break. It’s not new news that the Sharks<\/a> are the last in the league, the question is, when can they turn it around or who can turn it around? <\/span>One player who has continued to play aggressively on the ice for the Sharks is William Eklund<\/a>. The 22-year-old left winger is fighting a nagging upper-body injury, yet, he doesn\u2019t seem to let it affect his game on the ice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Early Career Statistics<\/strong><\/h3>\n

William Eklund was the seventh overall pick of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, finding his home with the San Jose Sharks. He received the E. J. McGuire Award for Excellence in 2021. The award is given to the top prospects who exemplify excellence on the ice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Eklund made his debut in the top-Swedish level, the Swedish Hockey League with Djurgardens IF in 2019-2020. A year later, Eklund became a full-time player where he received the SHL\u2019s Rookie of the Year. He scored 23 points (11 goals and 12 assists) in 40 games. He competed that season after having an emergency appendectomy and Covid-19.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On October 15th, Eklund Registered his 100th game in the NHL <\/strong><\/h3>\n

He is the eighth player from the 2021 draft to reach this milestone for 100 games.\u00a0The young left-winger played 80 games during the 23-24 season for the Sharks. He had 16 goals and 29 assists, averaging 18 minutes a game.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eklund plays on the same line as Tyler Toffoli<\/a> and Mikael Granlund<\/a>, previously it had been Macklin Celebrini <\/a>before his injury. Unlike the regular season, during the preseason the ’70s line’<\/em> saw success with multiple goals and assists during the games.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Regardless of a nagging injury, Eklund has not allowed for that to slow him down on the ice. He has remained constant and reliable during shifts and his teammates have taken notice of his devotion to their success. <\/span><\/p>\n

Toffoli was asked about linemate, William Eklund on the Sharks Audio Network Podcast (5:31). <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe does a really good job with holding onto the pucks and creating space for himself\u2026He\u2019s been getting better every day and he likes to work on his craft and try to get better. He has made some pretty good plays and is a big part of this team.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n