San Jose Sharks 23-24 Year-in-Review: William Eklund

[@MoonkeyAcid]

There were moments where he dominated at center at driving play that were very exciting

[@whoopswrongbutton3987]

I think with better help and being better prepared for the long season I’m hopeful he can hit 60-65 points next season

[@prosperfireson]

Hey Proffesor, After getting our first extended look at Eklund last year I have to say I am very impressed. He likely was the most skilled forward that the Sharks ended the season with. He has very good puck handling skills, vision and passing ability and his shot looks good particularly that one time from the low circle opposite where Ovechkin likes to set up. I think he really needs more muscle to help him battle more effectively along the boards although he already showed us he is capable there. I was shocked to see him win some of those battles. I figured as slight of build as he is he would get mauled along the boards and knocked off the puck but, that was definitely not the case. I am with you about plus/minus because that is really a team stat. If the goaltending is leaky or the other four skaters are not defensively responsible no matter how good you are defensively you get punished via that stat. I think I told you this story before. When I was younger and loved to play basketball pretty much from the first time I played organized basketball when I was 11 and 12 I found that I grasped and was able to consistently block my man out for defensive rebounds. There was just one problem. Often it seemed like I was the only one blocking my guy out which meant I had a nice space in front of me to go for the rebound but, all the other 4 opposing players could just slash to the boards in to that space I had created and take the offensive rebound! hahaha I think blocking out for rebounding is much like plus/minus in that you can do a good job on your part and still look bad if the other guys on your team don't do their job. I am very excited to see what players Mike Grier is able to sign as free agents or trade for to bolster our roster. I am hoping that we will at least be a decent team next season. With the addition of Will Smith and Celebrini as well as any other of our prospects who can make the squad AND the large amount of cap space we now enjoy to sign free agents I am hopefull that we can be much improved. Pete Clovis, CA

[@Sharks256]

Great point about the rebounding

[@prosperfireson]

@@Sharks256 Thanks man. Much appreciated.

[@steviep3079]

Well said Pete. You almost need your own channel!

[@prosperfireson]

@@steviep3079 hahaha High praise man thank you.

[@professorhockey]

I’m not sure if they will be much improved but they should be a bit better than this past year at least! Hopefully Eklund will be a big part of it

[@tjue4607]

Dope review, wing or center?

[@professorhockey]

He played both over the year, but his games at center weren’t too great. With Smith and Celebrini in the system, he will likely just settle on the wing.

[@AlexanderRodriguez-oc2wf]

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