The San Jose Sharks received two high draft picks, two forwards that are on their roster right now, and two young defensemen as part of the massive trade earlier this month that sent winger Timo Meier to the New Jersey Devils.
Going into their home game Saturday against the Minnesota Wild, the Sharks, since the Meier trade on Feb. 26, are 1-5-0. In that time, their average of 2.00 goals per game ranks 30th out of 32 teams, and the 4.83 goals per game they’ve allowed ranks 31st. Although there have been some hiccups, Eklund this season has generally displayed the traits that made him the seventh-overall pick in the 2021 draft: great hockey sense, speed, easy skill, and a commitment to playing a two-way game.
Per Natural Stat Trick, the line of Hertl, Eklund, and Zetterlund out-chanced the Blues 7-3 during 5-on-5 play and had a 3-1 edge in high-danger chances.