While many younger players and their new contracts were explored as a warning, it's time to take a look at another promising developing star whose contract serves as a rational compromise in today's NHL. Signed to a bridge deal on July 1st, Eklund's contract was at first criticized for not being long enough and for the Sharks refusing to take the gamble on Eklund's potential. But what if that was the correct move? What if that's the proper way to do reconnaissance and one's due diligence before making a long-term investment into a future cornerstone?
The Portfolio
William Eklund is a Swedish left-wing forward who is praised for his playmaking capabilities. His potential to stimulate an offense with his creativity is a massive reason for his current position in the Sharks' top six, a frequent flier on San Jose's young power play.
The young star has been relatively consistent, which is a key characteristic in the analysis and judgement of these new contracts, not just for younger players but for contracts league-wide. In his first year as an NHL regular, where he played 80 total games, Eklund produced 16 goals and 29 assists for 45 points, an outstanding first year for a rookie on a lackluster team. During Macklin Celebrini's rookie season, where he spent the year on his wing, Eklund's production improved, in which he put up 17 goals and 41 assists for 58 points in 77 games.
This year, Eklund currently has 5 goals and 8 assists for 13 points in 17 games, putting him on track for a career high of 17 goals and 43 assists for 60 points if he completes a 78-game season. Eklund's profile as a playmaker, with the ice as his canvas, is precisely why the Sharks are committed to a short-term investment that will leave fans across the league hungry for more. But why only commit to a bridge deal? What are the concerns? Where does he fit in San Jose's future?
The fit and the future
San Jose is currently a team that is attempting to break free from the shackles of a rebuild. The Sharks are currently on track to emerge as a contender if they continue to properly develop players like William Eklund, compared to their counterparts in the Windy City, the Chicago Blackhawks. But what makes them so special? What does this mean for William Eklund and his bridge deal?
The Sharks are taking a more balanced approach in which they inject a few veterans into their ranks, such as Dimitri Orlov and Jeff Skinner to provide guidance to their younger stars, but also stimulate their lineup with players that have something to prove and need to jump-start their NHL careers, such as Adam Gaudette and Philip Kurashev. These players have provided the Sharks' lineup with stability and an ability to deploy four relatively capable lines, a luxury that many teams cannot afford. The additional perk that this strategy provides is that it alleviates some of the pressure that Macklin Celebrini and William Eklund have to carry their team's offense.
Another explanation is that the Sharks are currently attempting to manage their cap space in a responsible manner. Instead of pouncing on the "potential" and gambling on Eklund to carry their franchise out of a rebuild, San Jose is aware they have plenty of players that could have the same competency to contribute as Eklund, such as Macklin Celebrini, who is currently lighting the league on fire, and their second overall pick, Michael Misa, who has shown promise before being placed on injured reserve.
This responsible cap management could unlock a wide variety of opportunities to expedite San Jose's rebuild, such as using their capital in free agency and trades and, of course, needing to pay their current face of their franchise in Celebrini. Eklund's consistency isn't at risk; especially as the cap continues to increase, the Sharks should and will have cap space to lock up Eklund to his long-term deal if his production continues at this current pace. In summation, after analyzing William Eklund's role and consistency on the San Jose Sharks, it's without a doubt that San Jose's responsible approach to the young forward's career will eventually produce dividends for both parties in the long term.