Part two of SHD’s exclusive interview with San Jose Sharks forward William Eklund explains how the winger uses experience to keep him self healthier later in the season.
The Swedish forward has played 65 of a possible 70 games this season. During the 23-24 season for the Sharks, Eklund missed two games. While he has missed more games this season, Eklund’s play has kept improving.
The former 7th-overall pick set a new career-high with every point he gets the rest of the season. His 16 goals match his career-high set last season, while the 36 assists are the most he’s had.
“I feel good. It’s something I wanted to improve this year,” Eklund told SHD. “Be a more steady producer offensively, and also a guy you can count on in defense zone. I keep trying to do that, and I think it’s getting better.”
Eklund’s first pro season in North America, the 22-23 season, was derailed by a shoulder injury. He played 54 games in the AHL with the San Jose Barracuda and eight in the NHL. But what has changed this season for the San Jose Sharks forward?
Eklund was honest as he explained it was a mental approach that has helped him.
“Sometimes you just gotta play through it, to be honest,” Eklund said. “You’re not going to feel healthy the whole season; you’re gonna have some bumps. You try to maintain that and take all this stuff outside of hockey serious.”
Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky sees the difference in Eklund’s preparation
San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky told SHD that he understands the differences between every player but that Eklund has improved his preparation.
“I think he came in in good shape. He’s a strong kid,” Warsofsky explained. “I think he understands the league more. He understands the grind of it [and] what he needs to do to take care of himself.”
Warsofsky knows that each player has a different method of preparing.
“Individually, they all go through it a little bit differently. What they’re doing on their off days. How they’re taking care of their bodies. Are they staying here late to get their body worked on? They work in the gym. Every guy is on a different plan,” Warsofsky explained.
“We have a lot of data on these guys and what we think they need. At the end of the day, they know themselves. You have to find that routine as a young player. Sometimes, it takes a year; sometimes, it takes two years. I think guys are starting to find their routines.”
Eklund has been moved around the lineup in recent practices. Warsofsky put Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith with Eklund and seems to have found something he wants to stick with.
After Wednesday’s practice, Warsofsky told reporters he didn’t want to change the top-six forward group by inserting Sharks’ prospect Cam Lund.
“He knows Patty a little bit. I think the pace from [Dellandrea] will keep him going,” Warsofsky said where he is placing Lund in the lineup. “We’ll see how it goes. I didn’t really want to mess with our top six right now. We’ll see how it goes and see how he does.”
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