HIGHLIGHTS
- Victor Eklund, the Islanders’ 16th overall pick in 2025, will make his NHL debut tonight against the Hurricanes
- The 19-year-old Swede posted 9 points in 7 AHL games with Bridgeport after winning World Juniors gold
- Watch the video below of his shootout winner in his AHL debut
The New York Islanders recalled Victor Eklund from Bridgeport on Tuesday morning, and the 19-year-old forward is expected to make his NHL debut tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes at UBS Arena.
It’s the season finale for both clubs, with nothing at stake in the standings. That makes it the perfect stage to give the kid his first taste of the NHL. New head coach Pete DeBoer slotted Eklund on the top line alongside Bo Horvat and Simon Holmstrom.
DeBoer didn’t hold back on the comparison, either. He likened Eklund to Logan Stankoven, who he coached during his time with the Dallas Stars.
Eklund was dominant from the moment he arrived in North America. In seven games with the Bridgeport Islanders, he racked up two goals and seven assists. His very first AHL game ended with a bar-down shootout winner.
The @NHL posted the clip:
Before crossing the Atlantic, Eklund put up 24 points in 43 games with Djurgardens in the SHL as a rookie. That ranked fourth among all SHL first-year players. He also led Sweden to a gold medal at the 2026 World Junior Championship, posting eight points in seven games as the Swedes went unbeaten for their first title in 14 years.
The Islanders drafted Eklund 16th overall last June. That pick came from the Noah Dobson trade with Montreal, which also netted them the first overall pick (Matthew Schaefer) and the 17th pick (Kashawn Aitcheson).
Check out Eklund’s first interview after arriving in Bridgeport:
Eklund will wear No. 73 tonight, becoming the first Islander to ever sport that number. His parents caught a flight from Stockholm to be in the building for the occasion.
Liam Foudy was also recalled for the finale. Foudy put up 46 points in 58 AHL games this season, both career highs.
The game won’t change anything in the playoff picture for either team. But for the Islanders, tonight is about something bigger than a final score. It’s the first look at a player who could anchor their top six for years to come.
