NY Islanders Sign First-Round Pick Victor Eklund to Entry-Level Deal

The New York Islanders announced the signing of Swedish forward Victor Eklund to a three-year, entry-level contract. The 18-year-old was selected 16th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft and is one of the latest blue-chip additions to a rapidly improving Islanders prospect pool.

Eklund earned top honors in Sweden’s HockeyAllsvenskan last season, leading all junior players with 31 points (19 goals, 12 assists) in 42 games for Djurgårdens. His standout performance earned him the prestigious Guldgallret, awarded annually to the top junior player in the league.

Eklund wasn’t supposed to be there when the Islanders stepped up to the podium. Ranked well inside the top 10 on most public boards, Eklund’s unexpected fall into the Islanders' lap was one of the stories of draft night. From The Athletic to Elite Prospects to Daily Faceoff, the Islanders earned A grades across the board following the draft, and the selection of Eklund was a big reason why.

Over his two seasons with Djurgårdens’ Allsvenskan club, the Stockholm native totaled 35 points in 57 games. Known for his combination of elite hockey IQ, quick release, and relentless motor, Eklund has long been a key figure in Sweden’s national team pipeline. He recorded six points at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship and added four goals at the 2024 U18 Worlds.

Eklund’s signing adds more firepower to a pipeline that has recently seen a dramatic turnaround. He joins Matthew Schaefer, Calum Ritchie, Cole Eiserman, and Kashawn Aitcheson as part of a top-five prospect core that was recently highlighted in Scott Wheeler’s Top 100 rankings.

Eklund is expected to return to Sweden for this up coming season, could join Bridgeport when his season is over. He'll be an exciting prospect to watch develop in the coming years.