William Eklund: conversation from Sweden (Part 1)

[@ipkforags]

Eklund is a stud. I cannot wait until next season when he's back on the team. He brought so much energy & skill to the team during his 9 game stretch this season. Finally some exciting news for the Sharks

[@markfaylor]

Thanks for doing this one Brodie, let’s show this kid some love, hope he becomes a regular on the show.

[@acadiaterritory7178]

Looking forward to his return! Great interview.

[@tonycouture5608]

Great work contacting William Eklund and questions, and top quality audio in the call. This super calm interview really contrasts with the emotional interview a heart broken William did upon learning he had to go home to Sweden. He is adjusting to the culture shock and change of life that he knows is coming and better prepared. The big difference between William and other Sharks players is dental; William can still smile with a full set of teeth and no yawning gaps. Cool to see him off ice in everyday or civilian mode also. Sharks fans can find Djurgardens web site online with video highlights, pictures and stats. Eklund appeared to be playing on the second line, with Holland and Sorenson. I am not sure if this was former Shark, Marcus Sorenson. It would be good to ask him questions about his linemates as they might be mentoring him if they are former NHL players, which means his development will progress more rapidly in the right direction. It might be that with 4 brothers and a professional hockey player father that he comes from a hockey-mad clan, but he really does sound balanced for a 19 year old. His father can mentor him in Sweden probably also, so Doug Wilson's decision for one more year seasoning in Sweden makes more sense. William had no such family support network in California, and he still needs to be a big brother to his 4 brothers in Sweden that are 15 to 2 years old. It is better for families to stick together in the current crisis atmosphere. Also ask him about the pandemic in Europe, which may impact on world junior tournaments and other hockey plans William might have in Europe. Don't NHL rules allow the Sharks to bring him back in the playoffs as I think Montreal Canadiens did with Cole Caufield last year? In any case, he is a playmaker like Mitch Marner with Toronto and will really boost future Sharks power play and scoring. The smaller NHL rinks make hitting much more intense and play making harder like in an obstacle course where the obstacles also hit you, and the game becomes faster and more dangerous than the European size rink which plays more like soccer slowness, and puck control/keep away is easier like a chess game. Although it is only a matter of feet, hockey is a game of inches and bodies colliding in random motion so as to create suspense and drama, so any change in size impacts game play significantly. One stray or deflected puck can also wreck a smile quicker than you can blink your eye.

[@zilvertron]

Eklund went in the first round and havent played college hockey in the US, he isnt returning to NHL this season no matter how much you try. If he does, his rookie contract steps in and his first year will be burnt for nothing. At the end of that contract Sharks will have a few big fishes to try negotiate with or hope for a big salary cap raise, better postpone it with 1 year to have the funds to offer a worthy contract extension if Eklund turns out to be as expected. No, theres no Junior tournaments in Europe, at all. Its the world cup for Juniors and if i remember correctly its in Edmonton this year, around Christmas and new Year. The only tourneys they do have is 4 different ones for Men, Euro hockey tour and thats something that happens every year. Some nations uses it to prepare and test some players for eventual participation in world cup. But in Swedens case, why bother. Most of them will be replaced with average NHL players anyway Yes, its the same Marcus Sorensen that was in the Sharks ice box for 3 seasons, he is in a dispute with some of his team mates and former coach about who was gonna be the team captain, its hard to make sense of it and in swedish its just sounds petty, considering the teams performance on the ice and where they are in the standings. No, bigger ice surface allows for more skills with the puck, and if you try to go for a body hit and miss, youre gonna leave a sea of ice behind you for the player to head towards the net. Average skill level in SHL most likely will make you pay dearly for such mistakes, but its always appreciated by the crowd if you do succeed about 3 times per game.

[@salvatoregetlostii334]

Yes he is playing with former shark Marcus Sörensson

[@iva2547]

That was a very kind and supportive interview. Nice work.

[@megebner6262]

You can see that this young man has heart and determination. Great interview Brodie👍🏻

[@timsimtv]

Dude is going to be a star for the sharks. You can just get that feeling. He is motivated to be an incredible player

[@theretiringbarber]

He will be a great player .

[@EliteEklund7272]

William’s brother Victor is very good as well

[@rickgray5731]

He needed to develope and get more physical. We all can see his skill set, but anyone who watched him play for mor than 5 games knew he wasn't ready for the top line. We want him to figure out getting around those more mature and heavier d-men. Work on his shot, Can't wait to see him next year.

[@imthebeatplug_8319]

This guys awesome

[@nataliedwang]

♥️♥️♥️

[@princedesnare4373]

keep ur head up kid :)

[@davidsimpson6186]

My opinion date should I keep you here you were doing better than some other players that didn't even have any points and I'm sending you back to Sweden playing on the big surface again When you were here you're playing on the regulars NHL Ice surface

[@andreasworldinwaders]

Are you surprised that swedes likes to talk Swedish with each other? :)

[@brodiebrazil]

not really! just that beyond english - it's probably the most popular language in the league. (more so than french, i think?)

[@OhYaSure]

Brodie, respectively this was a terrible interview. You didn’t do research on his family, admittedly. It’s not like has a hockey dad or anything. And then not knowing that he plays against grown men in Sweden and has been. What the hell? You handcuffed Eklund with that question but he’s a pro and can handle the puck in tight, but I could read his mind during that question “wow, this guy has no idea who I am”. Gotta do better than that bro!

[@brodiebrazil]

1) hah 2) you haven't seen part 2 regarding family 3) very familiar with his opposition 4) i'll always try to do better 😉