With the 2026-2027 NHL season set to begin soon, the New York Islanders began training camp on Wednesday. Unfortunately, they will be without forward Mathew Barzal for the foreseeable future. The team announced that Barzal won’t skate for at least two weeks after aggravating a prior injury.

Losing Barzal is a tough blow, as he was their leading scorer with 72 points last season. However, his injury gives the Islanders another open roster spot, creating a big opportunity for someone to crack the NHL roster. For the Islanders, this gives rookie Victor Eklund a chance to make the team on opening night.

Eklund’s Successful First Professional Season

Victor Eklund was the Islanders’ second of their three first-round picks in 2025. Selected 16th overall, he had a strong first professional season. He started his season in the SHL with Djurgårdens IF, scoring six goals and 18 assists in 43 games. Despite the numbers taking a step down from last season, Eklund still looked like himself, flying all over the ice and active along the boards.

After his SHL season, Eklund reported to the AHL to play for the Bridgeport Islanders. With Bridgeport, Eklund played well, scoring three goals and seven assists for 10 points in nine games. Eklund played a crucial role down the stretch, helping Bridgeport make the playoffs in their final season before relocating to Hamilton, Ontario.

After being eliminated from the playoffs, the Islanders called Eklund up to make his NHL debut in their final regular-season game. New York played Eklund on the top line with Bo Horvat and Simon Holmstrom. Eklund was also on their top power-play, giving him a real shot to stand out. He recorded his first career NHL point, leading to a Bo Horvat goal. Outside of the assist, the things that helped him stand out do not always show up on the scoreboard. In his lone NHL game, he was playing his style of hockey, making plays at both ends.

Strong Training Camp

Going into the year, even prior to the Barzal injury, there was still a good chance for Eklund to make the roster on opening night. With both rookie camp and training camp, he had a real chance to make an impression on management.

At rookie camp, Eklund, in fact, did stand out. In the two rookie scrimmages against the New Jersey Devils, Eklund found the back of the net twice, once in each game. His ability to crash to the net, jump on pucks, and create in transition was on full display. The Islanders won the first game and had a shootout loss in the second, but Eklund’s impact was crucial to their success.

With the Barzal injury, it’s Eklund’s time to make an impression. In camp, Eklund has continued to play his brand of hockey, skating well and making plays around the net. In the team’s intersquad scrimmages, Eklund deflected a Matthew Schaefer shot, scoring on a play at the net. Outside of the scrimmage, he has made a major impact in both camps, making it hard for the Islanders to leave him out of the lineup.

Potential Season Outlook for Victor Eklund

Going into the preseason, it looks likely that Eklund will make the NHL roster. He has been playing on the third line with Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Emil Heineman in training camp. While he may be starting the season there, if he continues to shine like he has all preseason, Eklund’s role could increase. He could not only bump into the top six, but also find a role on the team’s power play.

On the third line, Eklund is a good fit with Pageau and Heineman. Heineman’s shot will help Eklund create opportunities to score off a deflection or rebounds by the net, where he thrives. Pageau had his best finishing year last season, giving Eklund more options on his line to set up chances for. Defensively, Eklund does a good job being in the right place, being active, and disrupting the puck. Both Heineman and Pageau are solid defensively as well, making the three have the potential to work together.

While nothing is set in stone, Victor Eklund has a straightforward path to the NHL. As long as he continues to play as well as he has, he can almost guarantee himself a spot in the lineup come opening night.

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