‘We’ve Had Talks’: Sharks’ Eklund Still Waiting To Find Out Olympic Fate

San Jose Sharks forward William Eklund has returned from a lower-body injury and continued his strong play.

Arguably playing the best hockey of his career, the Sharks winger has 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) in 15 games this season. He’s been on the second line and often matched up against opposing teams’ top lines.

Eklund spoke exclusively to SHD after San Jose Sharks practice on Monday about what is giving him tremendous success this season compared to previous seasons.

“I know what type of player I am in the NHL. I know what made me successful out there,” Eklund said. “Some nights you’re not going to have your A game, but you gotta try to do the best you can. When you’re not on the scoresheet, what can you do otherwise? That’s something that I’ve evolved through the years.”

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For a player like Eklund, this season is an important one outside of the NHL. The 23-year-old is pushing to play for Team Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Eklund told SHD that he knows the same as everyone else in regards to if he will make the team or not.

However, he does admit there have been conversations with Sweden.

“Nothing more than you know. We’ve had talks and stuff like that. But no, we’ll see here in the future and see what’s gonna happen,” Eklund said. “I’m just trying to do the best I can to make my team win here and see from there.”

Macklin Celebrini has had important people from Team Canada in attendance to watch the San Jose Sharks play, just as Eklund.

When the Sharks visited the New York Islanders, one of Sweden’s assistant GMs, Josef Boumedienne, was in attendance.

While making the Swedish Olympic team would be an incredible achievement, Eklund said his focus remains on the Sharks winning more hockey games.

“Not too much. It’s something, if I’m there, I would love to be there. That’s talking for every player. You would love to be in the Olympics,” Eklund said. “But also, I gotta start focusing on my team here. We are trying to win games. We’ve got to get back on the win train here. That’s something I’m going to do every day.”

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