After a demanding season including an NHL debut with the New York Islanders, Swedish forward Victor Eklund has opted out of the IIHF World Championship and Euro Hockey Tour to prioritize rest and development in North America. Sweden coach Sam Hallam now seeks replacement offensive options.
Eklund's season featured 69 games across Sweden's SHL with Djurgården (quarterfinal exit), AHL stints with Bridgeport, and an NHL debut assist for the Islanders. He also won gold at the World Junior Championship and later joined Anton Frondell in North America post-SHL playoffs.
Reports from the U.S., including Islanders reporter Stefan Rosner, confirm Eklund is skipping the international tournaments to focus on securing a full-time NHL roster spot and recovery. This decision underscores his commitment to growth within the Islanders organization amid a grueling campaign.
