2025 Draft Prospect Raises Stock at WJC

A 2025 NHL Draft prospect raised his stock after his performance at the World Junior Championship.

Aug 2, 2024; Plymouth, MI, USA; USA’s defenceman Lukas Fischer (13) battles for position with Sweden's forward Victor Eklund (18) during the first period of the 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase at USA Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images / David Reginek-Imagn Images

After a heartbreaking loss to Finland in the semifinals of the 2025 World Junior Championship, Sweden is set to play a final game for the bronze medal. It's a disappointing loss for one of the best teams in this year's event, but for 2025 NHL Draft prospect Victor Eklund, the WJC might be the event that catapults him up the rankings for next summer's draft.

Eklund had an excellent tournament for Sweden. One of the few 18 year-old forwards on the roster, he was one of the team's best players from start to finish. Over six games, he registered two goals and four assists. On the loaded Swedish squad, it landed him tied for fourth on their team scoring list, but to all of the NHL scouts it showed how well he can play in such a big moment.

Coming into the WJC, Eklund was already viewed as one of the top European prospects available in 2025. He and fellow Swedish centerman Anton Frondell are currently the frontrunners to be named the top European skater come next summer. Eklund's play at this tournament, however, could be what puts him over the edge.

What stood out the most about his game was all of the little things he did that you wouldn't expect a big time playmaker like him to commit to at a young age. He was tenacious on the forecheck, often being the first forward in on opposing defenders. He was physical on puck retrievals and in wall battles. Some might describe it as the "dirty work," and for a player with a well-earned reputation for offensive creativity, his game at the WJC displayed a significant increase in fiestiness and determination that NHL teams love to see.

And it didn't take away from his ability to create, showcasing his elite passing throughout the tournament. His four assists highlight this, but he was excellent and seeing open teammates and consistently identified passing lanes.

After such a strong showing, Eklund is sure to rise in a number of draft rankings and that is well deserved. How far up will he go? That's the big question, but there's a chance he's gone from top-10 to top-5 or even top-3 prospect at the 2025 NHL Draft.

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