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Eyes On Isles
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NY Islanders rookie Victor Eklund making case for bigger role as goals keep coming

ByJiggs Westfall
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Nov 9, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; New York Islanders right winger Victor Eklund (38) controls the puck while defended by San Jose Sharks center Tyler Toffoli (73) in the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Nov 9, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; New York Islanders right winger Victor Eklund (38) controls the puck while defended by San Jose Sharks center Tyler Toffoli (73) in the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The New York Islanders have been forced to lean on some unexpected contributors early in the 2026-27 season, with injuries to Mathew Barzal, Matias Maccelli and Calum Ritchie creating opportunities for younger players to take on larger roles.

Few have taken advantage of that opportunity quite like Victor Eklund.

The 20-year-old rookie scored his sixth goal of the season in Monday night's 3-2 shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks, extending his goal-scoring streak to three games. More importantly, the goal came on the power play, where Eklund was rewarded with a promotion to the Islanders' top unit as the team continues searching for answers with the man advantage.

Eklund made the most of his opportunity, taking a pass from Brayden Schenn and beating Yaroslav Askarov with a one-timer just 1:11 into the second period. It was another sign of the growing confidence the coaching staff has in the rookie, who now has six goals and nine points through 17 games.

Selected 16th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, Eklund made his NHL debut in the final game of last season before earning a roster spot out of training camp. Since then, his relentless style and willingness to play a physical game have made him difficult to take out of the lineup.

At 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, Eklund isn't particularly imposing physically, but he plays much bigger than his frame. He led the Islanders with 47 hits through their first 16 games, regularly finishing checks and creating pressure on the forecheck.

Now the offensive production is beginning to catch up with the energy and physicality that helped him earn DeBoer's trust in the first place.

With the Islanders struggling to generate consistent offense on the power play, Eklund's emergence offers another option for a unit that has been searching for a spark. His promotion to the top group is an opportunity to establish himself as more than an energetic bottom-six forward.

And with three goals in three games, he's making a pretty compelling argument that he belongs there.

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