The New York Islanders’ 2025 first-round pick Victor Eklund is en route to North America to join the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders, a move signaling the organization’s belief that his elite “energy” and compete level—praised by teammate Anton Frondell as a physical force in the SHL—are ready for the professional stage immediately following a strong finish to his season in Sweden.
The New York Islanders’ 2025 first-round pick is coming to North America, and the most compelling reason isn’t his stat line—it’s the visceral, game-altering “energy” he brings. Following the playoff exit of his Swedish Hockey League (SHL) club Djurgårdens IF, Victor Eklund will travel this week to join the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders, as confirmed by the NY Post. This isn’t a cautious development plan; it’s a direct pipeline insertion of a player whose identity is built on relentless effort.
The SHL Season: Foundation and Ascent
Eklund’s first full SHL season provides the baseline: six goals and 18 assists over 43 games. The raw numbers are solid for an 18-year-old in a top-tier European league. The context, however, is what matters. He required an adjustment period—a common experience—before his game surged following the World Junior Championships.
That tournament was the catalyst. Eklund was a leading force for Sweden’s gold medal-winning team, a performance that often correlates with a confidence leap upon returning to club play. His post-World Juniors arc in the SHL, culminating in playoff performances where he “runs over guys,” as described by a close observer, indicates a player whose physicality and pace escalated at the most critical time. This trajectory aligns with the Islanders’ timeline, accelerating his North American arrival.
‘He Runs Over Guys’: Decoding the ‘Energy’ Factor
The pivotal insight into Eklund’s potential impact comes from his Djurgårdens teammate and close friend, Anton Frondell. Frondell, the Chicago Blackhawks’ third overall pick in 2024 who just made his NHL debut, offered an unfiltered scouting report. His description transcends typical prospect clichés:
- “I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone work as hard as him or like to compete as much.” This speaks to a non-negotiable, internal drive.
- “He’s not that big, he’s not that heavy, but he runs over guys in the SHL.” This is the core physical translation. His game isn’t about size; it’s about a center of mass and a motor that overwhelm opponents.
- “Especially in the playoffs… creating a lot of energy.” The highest leverage games revealed his defining trait. He doesn’t just play; he shifts the ambiance of the contest.
For an Islanders organization that often prizes structure and two-way play, Eklund represents a different, vital archetype: the relentless, forechecking, possession-driving agitator. His “energy” is a tangible asset that can animate a line and a building, especially in the developmental crucible of the AHL.
The Friend and the Signal: Frondell’s Path
The coincidence of Eklund’s move following Frondell’s NHL debut with the Blackhawks is more than a narrative footnote; it’s a comparative signal. Both are 2025 draftees (Frondell at 3rd, Eklund at 16th) who developed together in the SHL. Frondell’s immediate NHL arrival establishes a benchmark for top-tier Swedish prospects from this draft class. It contextualizes Eklund’s move to the AHL not as a delay, but as the standard, aggressive pathway for a high-end prospect ready for the North American game’s pace and physicality.
Bridgeport Implications and the Islander Pipeline
Joining the Bridgeport Islanders immediately places Eklund on a roster with veteran guidance and competitive urgency. His specific skill set—elite speed, aggressive forechecking, and a sandpaper style—is tailor-made for the AHL’s physical landscape. The Islanders’ management, led by GM Mathieu Darche (with whom Eklund confirmed communication), is betting that his traits will translate directly to wins at the AHL level, fast-tracking his readiness for an NHL call-up.
This move also speaks to the organization’s post-draft strategy. While they possess a strong prospect pool, injecting a player with Eklund’s unique, high-energy profile diversifies the pipeline’s stylistic makeup. He is not a poised playmaker; he is a disruptive force. That’s a valuable tool for a team looking to add depth with different looks.
Separate News: A Goaltending Pipeline Move
In unrelated but relevant organizational news, the Islanders signed undrafted free agent goaltender Josh Kotai to a two-year entry-level deal. The contract, per PuckPedia, is two-way with a $965,000 NHL AAV and an $85,000 AHL salary. Kotai, 23, posted a .938 save percentage and 1.99 GAA for Augustana University. This move adds depth to a position of need but does not impact the immediate analysis of Eklund’s arrival and what it signifies for the top prospect pipeline’s philosophy.
The parallel moves—aggressively promoting a high-energy forward and adding a noted collegiate performer in net—show an Islanders front office working multiple angles to strengthen organizational depth with players whose recent performance suggests they are ready for the next challenge.
Victor Eklund’s arrival in Bridgeport is a statement. The Islanders are not waiting for gradual development; they are deploying a player whose primary value—that indefatigable “energy”—is deemed NHL-adjacent right now. His success will be a key early indicator of this draft class’s potential impact and a test of how the “compete” model translates to the professional ranks in North America.
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