San Jose Sharks left wing William Eklund (72) skates toward the puck in the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn ImagesSan Jose Sharks winger William Eklund just missed playing for Team Sweden at the 4 Nations Face-Off and wants to make the best case to make the 2026 Olympic team.
Reports surfaced that Eklund originally made the 2025 4 Nations roster, but that was false. The winger himself said the Expressen news outlet isn't the most trustworthy.
"I wasn't even listening to that report," Eklund told reporters on Wednesday. "I'm not going to go into what I thought about it. We already know what I think about it."
Despite that, Eklund said he's been in contact with Tre Kronor's head coach, Sam Hallam, and other national team coaching staff members.
"They watched some games during the season, and we talked after some games," Eklund said. "There is communication there, and [I'm going to keep talking] and doing my job."
THN asked Eklund if Sweden's coaching staff members informed him when they were at a game to scout him.
"Sometimes I don't know, sometimes I know. You're so focused on what you're trying to do out there, so you don't think about it," the Swede explained. "Every game is going to be people out there watching. I think it's been there through my whole life, and that's something we all get used to."
It is a little crazy that this year is only William Eklund's second full NHL season. The winger has shown improvement and has 40 points (11 goals, 29 assists) in 52 games.
Eklund wants to be part of the Olympics and is willing to do anything to represent Sweden.
"I want to finish out this season [strong] and continue that next year and make a case for myself to be in that team," Eklund said.
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