Islanders’ Victor Eklund Set for NHL Debut, Draws Comparisons to Logan Stankoven

As the New York Islanders wrap up their season, all eyes will be on 19-year-old Victor Eklund, the team’s top prospect and 2025 first-round pick. Making his NHL debut on Tuesday night, Eklund joins the Islanders after a stint with Djurgårdens IF in Sweden and is eager to showcase his skills in the final game against the Carolina Hurricanes. With the Islanders out of playoff contention, head coach Pete DeBoer is seizing the opportunity to assess Eklund before entering a critical offseason filled with roster decisions.

In this season finale, DeBoer faces off against Logan Stankoven, a player he coached during his time with the Dallas Stars. Ahead of the matchup, DeBoer drew an intriguing comparison between the two forwards. “I remember the draft reports. I obviously have seen the brother play. Everyone’s looking for speed, skill, and tenacity. Those would probably be three of the four or five things you’d use to describe him,” DeBoer noted, emphasizing the similarities in their playing styles.

Both Eklund, standing at 5-foot-11, and Stankoven, at 5-foot-8, are on the smaller side of the NHL spectrum. Yet, Stankoven has made a name for himself with his aggressive forechecking and relentless pursuit of loose pucks, accumulating 216 career NHL games at just 23 years old. His ability to impact the game extends beyond scoring, showcasing an underrated goal-scoring talent and solid playmaking skills.

Eklund mirrors this style, utilizing his stickhandling and agility to navigate puck battles while demonstrating poise in finding open teammates. Although Stankoven has set career highs this season with 21 goals, 22 assists, and 43 points, Eklund’s potential suggests he could develop into a higher-ceiling forward, potentially solidifying a long-term spot in the Islanders’ top-six lineup.

During the morning skate, Eklund took his place on the first line alongside Bo Horvat and Simon Holmstrom, indicating that he will receive significant ice time in his debut against Carolina. Much like fellow prospect Calum Ritchie, Eklund is expected to have a chance to secure a spot on the Islanders’ NHL roster next season.

The puck drops at 7:00 P.M. EST at UBS Arena as the Islanders look to end their season on a high note with Eklund stepping into the spotlight.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.