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Victor Eklund Scouting Report: 2025 NHL Draft #7

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Welcome to your 2025 NHL Entry Draft Headquarters right here at Last Word On Sports and Top Shelf Prospects. We have you covered with everything you will need to be ready for the big event. This year’s draft is set to take place on June 27th and 28th live from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Today, we bring you our Victor Eklund Scouting Report. 

Each day, LWOH will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow our prospect writers Ben Kerr and Chase Windsor spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical draft profiles and scouting reports! Last Word On Hockey and Top Shelf Prospects bring it to you. Make us your new headquarters for everything “2025 NHL Draft”!

As we continue our series here at Last Word On Hockey, showcasing the best prospects the world has to offer, we land on another dynamic offensive forward. This time, we have Swedish forward Victor Eklund. The younger brother of San Jose Sharks forward William Eklund, Victor brings a similar skill set—quick, creative, and smart—but with perhaps even more goal-scoring instincts.

Victor Eklund Scouting Report: 2025 NHL Draft #7

Left Wing – Shoots Right

Born October 3rd, 2006 – Stockholm, SWE

Height 5’11” – Weight 161lbs [181cm/73kg]

Scoring Touch

Victor Eklund is highly talented when it comes to producing offence. This season for Djurgårdens IF of the HockeyAllsvenskan, Eklund had one of the best statistical seasons for a first-time draft-eligible player since Elias Pettersson. Through 42 games this season, Eklund scored 19 goals and 31 points as an 18-year-old in a pro-league. Additionally, in seven games at the IIHF World Junior Championships, Eklund had six points and played a pivotal team role.

What makes Victor an offensive threat is his ability to both shoot and distribute the puck. His release is deceptive and accurate, making him a threat from both mid-range and in tight. Eklund also displays great hands in-tight, making him a scoring threat from the slot and off rebound chances. When distributing, Victor excels at opening lanes and sliding the puck through to an open teammate. Off the rush, he can beat defenders with a quick deke or change of speed, and he has the vision to find passing options when defenders collapse. Eklund has the offensive intelligence to adjust on the fly, making plays at high speeds. This gives him an edge as a transition playmaker and goal-scorer.

Skating and Compete Level

Much of Eklund’s offence comes from his edgework and explosive acceleration. He uses quick crossovers and sudden changes in direction to create separation and attack defenders in transition. His ability to generate speed through the neutral zone forces defenders to retreat, opening up passing and shooting lanes as he drives the play. He’s especially dangerous off the rush, combining pace with creativity to manufacture scoring chances.

When not directly on offence, Eklund always wants the puck back on his stick. He has a relentless motor that he uses to hound down the puck and forecheck with purpose. He wins a high percentage of puck battles for a player of his size by using quickness, body positioning, and sheer determination. Eklund’s commitment to always own the puck helps his team extend their zone time, translating to more offensive chances. He’s also a willing physical presence, throwing hits and engaging in contact when needed.

When working to get the puck back in the D-zone, Eklund is just as engaged as on offence, however, he can struggle with structure, and his defensive game could use some refining. With the man-on-man coverage he played this season, he would occasionally lose track of his man, blowing his assignment and leading to chances against. He will need to work on the defensive areas of his game before making the jump to the NHL.

Projections and Comparisons

The two players that come to mind when watching Victor Eklund are William Eklund (San Jose Sharks) and Jesper Bratt (New Jersey Devils). With William, the comparisons are apparent. As siblings, they play very similar styles of games, with Victor potentially having more of a scoring touch. Bratt, on the other hand, is a fast, skilled winger with top-end vision, scoring ability, and relentless energy. All traits that Eklund possesses.

Victor Eklund has all the tools needed to become a high-impact, top-six NHL winger. The mixture of elite skating, scoring touch, creativity, and relentless complete level makes him one of the most interesting players in this year’s draft. If Eklund hopes to join the likes of his brother in the NHL, he will need to work on his defensive responsibility, as well as put on some muscle. At only 161 lbs, he is slightly undersized and will want to bulk up a bit before making the jump. That said, he played this season against men much bigger and stronger than him and was very successful. Once the defensive game has been addressed and he fills out a little, Eklund has proven that he could be a dynamic NHL player for years to come.

Main photo by: David Reginek-Imagn Images

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