New York Islanders prospect Victor Eklund will not be attending rookie camp or training camp this fall, The Hockey News has learned.
Eklund, selected 16th overall in this past draft, did attend development camp, sharing at the draft and on Long Island that he would be heading back to Sweden for the 2025-26 season to play for Djugardens, which had been promoted to the SHL after winning the HockeyAllsvenskan championship.
After attending #Isles dev camp, I'm told Victor Eklund (No. 16) will not be attending rookie camp or training camp this fall.
If he did, he'd miss around 6 games for Djugardens, which would jeopardize his position on their roster & ability to prepare for the SHL season.
— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) July 31, 2025
The Islanders were on board with this decision.
Anton Frondell (Chicago Blackhawks, No. 4), Eklund's buddy and Djugarden's teammate, will also be following this path.
Eklund, 18, did sign his entry-level contract back on July 14. The first year of the deal will slide if the Swedish forward does not play in 10 or more NHL games in 2025-26, which he won't.
Djugardens opens their season on Sept. 13 vs. Skelleftea.
PHOTO: David Reginek-Imagn Images
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