Amid draft chaos, the Red Wings could steal top European prospect Victor Eklund.
The Detroit Red Wings will be on the clock in a couple of hours and with the last minute mock drafts adding to the speculation as to who goes where.
We look to give a deep-dive on a player that has been linked to the Red Wings by several insiders and that player is Victor Eklund from the Swedish club, Djurgårdens IF.
The younger brother of San Jose's William Eklund, Victor has carved out a name for himself. Listed as the fourth-best available prospect in the draft by The Hockey News' Tony Ferrari, Eklund has solidified himself as one of the top prospects after finishing with an impressive season in HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden’s second-tier pro league and one of the most competitive in Europe.
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He tallied 19 goals and 12 assists for 31 points in 42 regular-season games, then added seven points over 16 playoff games. His strong international resume includes standout performances with Sweden’s national teams, notably four goals and two assists in seven games en route to a bronze medal at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship, followed by a six-point showing in seven games the next year.
Eklund’s 5-foot-11 frame and playing style have drawn comparisons to players like Jaden Schwartz, with a higher-end projection resembling Sebastian Aho as a quick, skilled forward capable of producing significant offensive numbers.
There's been plenty of chatter about teams moving up and attempting to draft specific players like the Islanders trying to get New York native James Hagens out of Boston College.
This could present a chance for Detroit to snag Eklund who NHL Central Scouting currently ranks as the best European skater, according to analysts like TSN’s Bob McKenzie.
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