The Sharks have signed winger William Eklund to a three-year extension price $5.6M per season, the workforce announced. He was getting into the ultimate yr of his entry-level contract as a pending RFA. It’s a complete worth of $16.8M for Eklund on his first commonplace NHL contract. He’ll be due a $5.8M qualifying supply on expiry, per PuckPedia.
Eklund, 22, was one of many first cornerstone draft picks of San Jose’s rebuild. Chosen No. 7 total in 2021, he’s had a productive run in a top-six function out of the gate for the Sharks. He’s performed two full NHL seasons after seeing a nine-game trial in 2021-22 and an eight-game one in 2022-23. In 174 profession video games, he has 35 objectives and 110 factors. That features a 17-goal, 58-point displaying in 77 video games for the Sharks this yr, ending second on the workforce in scoring behind rookie Macklin Celebrini and averaging 19:33 per sport.
It’s a shrewd deal, notably for Eklund. He’ll take a bridge deal now with the possibility to seemingly double his wage upon changing into an RFA once more in 2029 at age 26 if he continues on his present improvement path. For the Sharks, it’s a tad peculiar to see them not go long-term with Eklund or pay him the next wage on his bridge. It’s price mentioning that Eklund’s deal doesn’t have an effect on their capability to achieve the cap flooring this season because it doesn’t go into impact till 2026-27.
In a vacuum, although, it’s an distinctive worth over the following few years for the star potential Eklund supplies. Because the workforce round him develops, he’s on observe to be a surefire 70-to-80-point producer for the Sharks as Celebrini’s wingman for the foreseeable future. He’s maintained his draft slot effectively, at present rating seventh in scoring amongst 2021 draftees. He’s performed fewer video games than everybody forward of him aside from Mammoth winger Dylan Guenther.
