Aug 3, 2024; Plymouth, MI, USA; Sweden's forward Victor Eklund (18) celebrates a goal against Finland with teammates during the first period of the 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase at USA Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/f3a3ec8f-705b-4d94-b204-326711f16e07.jpeg] Aug 3, 2024; Plymouth, MI, USA; Sweden's forward Victor Eklund (18) celebrates a goal against Finland with teammates during the first period of the 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase at USA Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images With the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaching fast, POHO and GM Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins] have their work cut out for them. With a total of 30 picks over the next three drafts, including 11 this year - which could reduce to 10 if the conditional first-round pick from the New York Rangers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers] defers to 2026 - there will be plenty of opportunity for the Penguins to add impact players [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/we-have-to-stick-to-a-very-concise-plan-and-then-execute-our-butts-off-dubas-clarifies-penguins-summer-plans]. Of their 11 picks in 2025, six of them are in the first three rounds. And, as of now, the Penguins will select ninth overall. The draft lottery will take place on May 5th [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/2025-nhl-draft-lottery-day-announced-how-it-works-and-what-are-the-odds] - Pittsburgh has a five percent chance of getting the first overall pick - while the draft itself will be on Jun. 27-28 [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/2025-nhl-draft-10-prospects-with-the-most-on-the-line-at-u-18-worlds]. Assuming they stay put at ninth, however, we have compiled a list of potential draft prospects that should fall around the Penguins' selection. We recently profiled center Jake O'Brien [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/penguins-draft-prospect-profile-jake-obrien]. Next up? That would be Swedish left wing Victor Eklund. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VICTOR EKLUND Aug 2, 2024; Plymouth, MI, USA; USA’s defenceman Lukas Fischer (13) battles for position with Sweden's forward Victor Eklund (18) during the first period of the 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase at USA Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/609a30a6-c6d6-4110-8838-f18dfbbb8e78.jpeg] Aug 2, 2024; Plymouth, MI, USA; USA’s defenceman Lukas Fischer (13) battles for position with Sweden's forward Victor Eklund (18) during the first period of the 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase at USA Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images DOB: Oct. 3, 2006 Position: Left Wing Shoots: Right Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 161 pounds Team: Djurgårdens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan) There is a pretty decent chance that - assuming the Penguins remain in the ninth overall draft slot after Monday's draft lottery [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/2025-nhl-draft-lottery-day-announced-how-it-works-and-what-are-the-odds] - one of the teams just above Pittsburgh in draft order will snag Eklund. But if he does fall to ninth overall, this pick should pretty much be a lock for the Penguins. The younger brother of San Jose Sharks forward William Eklund, the 18-year-old Victor registered 19 goals and 31 points in 42 games for Djurgårdens IF whilst playing in Sweden's second-tier league in a pool of grown men. He spent some time playing with fellow 2025 NHL draft prospect Anton Frondell [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/djurgarden-pair-leads-nhl-central-scouting-2025-final-european-skater-rankings], who is expected by most to be selected within the top-five [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/djurgrden-extends-top-draft-prospect-anton-frondell]. His size certainly isn't going to jump out at you. But his offensive toolset sure is. Eklund has a penchant for putting pucks in the back of the net, but his vision, playmaking, and ability to create something out of nothing is rivaled by few in his draft class. He creates space in all areas of the ice, using his hockey smarts to find the open man, position himself to make plays, and expose the danger areas of the ice. His skating is above average - which helps him a ton - and he's also relentless on the forecheck. Eklund isn't afraid to go to the dirty areas of the ice to win battles on the wall and gain positioning at the net front, and his high-energy style and motor is somewhat resemblant of ex-Penguin forward Brandon Tanev. Eklund could use some work in his defensive details, but his style of play should foster some growth in that area. Djurgarden Pair Leads NHL Central Scouting 2025 Final European Skater Rankings [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/c9ff78fe-0955-401c-889b-19d610229a2f.jpeg] Djurgarden Pair Leads NHL Central Scouting 2025 Final European Skater Rankings NHL Central Scouting released its final rankings for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on Tuesday and, among the international skaters, to no one’s surprise, the Djurgården pair of <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/djurgrden-extends-top-draft-prospect-anton-frondell">center Anton Frondell</a> and <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/victor-eklund-its-gone-quite-well-so-ill-just-continue-with-it">right winger Victor Eklund</a> top the list. [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/djurgarden-pair-leads-nhl-central-scouting-2025-final-european-skater-rankings] Similar to prospects such as Ville Koivunen and Rutger McGroarty [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/sid-and-the-kids-mcgroarty-koivunen-skate-with-crosby-top-six-in-practice], Eklund's skills are translatable to the NHL level. He's someone who probably won't need as much time stewing at lower levels of professional hockey, especially since he's already been playing against adults in Sweden and thriving. He's simply a step ahead of just about everyone else around him on the ice, and he has pretty surefire point-per-game potential at the NHL level. And pair him with someone like Sidney Crosby? There may be an even higher ceiling for him to reach. Eklund has star potential at the NHL level. If he is still available at ninth overall, it's an opportunity that the Penguins simply cannot pass on. NHL comparables: Jesper Bratt, Travis Konecny Penguins Draft Prospect Profile: Jake O'Brien [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/bc774cc3-71be-4cc1-abe4-0ef5f2534798.jpeg] Penguins Draft Prospect Profile: Jake O'Brien With the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaching fast, POHO and GM Kyle Dubas and the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> have their work cut out for them. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/penguins-draft-prospect-profile-jake-obrien] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwquDfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!
