Fantasy Hockey Feature: William Eklund finding success in a difficult spot

Standing out on the 2023-24 San Jose Sharks roster is near-impossible. The team’s current goals-for per-60 minutes at 5-on-5 (1.53) is the second lowest of any team since 2007, with only the 2013-14 Buffalo Sabres rating worse. They are also under 2.0 goals/60 at all strengths, and no other team is lower than 2.3/60. It is a special brand of bad, but that doesn’t mean every player has been awful. 

William Eklund has 17 points in 39 games, and over one-third of those points (6) have come on the power play. He is not technically considered a rookie, despite having never had a season with more than 10 games and just 17 total games played heading into 2023-24, but he is functionally a rookie. Let’s dive into what made him a coveted prospect, what he’s doing right in such a poor situation, and w