Victor Eklund’s potential NY Islanders role has him among NHL’s top fantasy rookies

We still don’t know if Victor Eklund will make the New York Islanders out of training camp. But if he does, there is a pretty clear reason why fantasy hockey analysts are paying attention.

Eklund was ranked No. 10 among NHL.com’s top fantasy rookies entering the season, with a fantasy rank of 196. A big part of that projection comes down to opportunity.

The Islanders selected Eklund 16th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, 15 picks after Matthew Schaefer, and he has already gotten a brief taste of the NHL. The 19-year-old recorded an assist in his debut on April 14.

Before that, Eklund put together an encouraging season overseas and in Bridgeport. He finished with 24 points on six goals and 18 assists in 43 games for Djurgarden, ranking fourth among Swedish Hockey League players age 20 and under. After coming to North America, he added 10 points in just nine games for Bridgeport, including three goals and seven assists.

That was enough to earn him an NHL look and, more importantly, put him firmly in the conversation for a roster spot this fall.

If Eklund sticks, the intrigue is obvious.

He is expected to play with more skilled, creative linemates than he had at lower levels, which could help maximize one of the strongest parts of his game: his ability to make plays and create offense.

That doesn’t guarantee immediate production, and he still has to prove he belongs during training camp. Still, NHL.com sees enough upside to rank him alongside names such as Porter Martone, Gavin McKenna, Anton Frondell and James Hagens.

For fantasy purposes, Eklund is more of a late-round upside play than a sure thing.

But if he earns a top-nine role and gets time with other playmakers, his ceiling could rise quickly.

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