Victor Eklund Making Most Of Mat Barzal Absence

Oftentimes in sports, one man’s injury is another man’s opportunity. Unfortunately for the New York Islanders, that injury will come at the expense of superstar forward Mathew Barzal but will create an opportunity for youngster Victor Eklund.

Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche announced last week when camp opened that Mathew Barzal would miss training camp as he was rehabbing an ongoing knee injury that flared up over the summer. Barzal appeared in 81 games last season but missed much of the 2024-25 season after needing knee surgery on his patella. The Islanders had hoped Barzal’s injuries were past him, but it appears not yet, or at least the team is being careful with its $73 million forward. With Barzal unavailable to begin the season, a glaring hole remains in the Islanders forward group. However, a glorious opportunity has now presented itself for roster-challenging rookies.

The most notable of those youngsters is 19-year-old Swedish winger Victor Eklund. The Islanders selected Eklund 16th overall in the 2025 NHL draft. He then returned to Sweden playing for his home Djurgårdens IF in the Swedish Hockey League. After an impressive season, finishing fourth in rookie scoring, he decided to turn professional and signed with the Islanders, marking his move to North American hockey. Eklund then contributed to Bridgeport’s final playoff run, tallying three goals and seven assists in 10 games. He made his NHL debut in the Islanders’ 2025-26 season finale, recording an assist against Carolina on a Bo Horvat goal for his first NHL point.

Eklund made an immediate impression at this year’s rookie camp, scoring goals in all three Islanders prospect scrimmages. After a standout rookie camp, he’s carried that momentum into the start of the preseason, impressing Pete DeBoer with how he has taken advantage of this opportunity. 

“He’s just a really good hockey player. Can play in any situation. Dog on a bone on the puck out there. If he continues to do what he’s doing, he’s gonna make us have to make some really tough decisions,” said the Isles bench boss after Sunday’s preseason game in Newark.  Eklund didn’t score that night but did record three shots and laid four hits through 18:45 of ice time. He also logged 5:00 on the power play and 0:57 shorthanded. DeBoer believes in him and is deploying him properly at this stage of the season.

DeBoer has historically shown a willingness to trust young forwards who earn his confidence. In Dallas, Wyatt Johnston became a full-time NHLer at 19, scoring 23 goals and earning NHL All-Rookie honors, while Logan Stankoven quickly carved out a significant role after his call-up. When young talent matches DeBoer’s schemes, there’s an immediate chance for a breakout.

With Mathew Barzal expected to miss only a few games, the opportunity may come and go for Eklund if he can’t make the most of it right away. He is scheduled to skate with Jean-Gabriel Pageau and countryman Emil Heineman on the club’s third line. Eklund is eligible to play nine games before burning the first year off his entry-level contract. The timing is there for Eklund to make his mark. Opening night for the Islanders in Toronto is just a week away.

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