William Eklund got a boost to the San Jose Sharks\u2019 top line, but he\u2019s still searching for his game.<\/p>\n
The Sharks forward returned from a lower-body injury<\/a> on Nov. 11 against the Minnesota Wild. In the seven games since returning, Eklund has just three assists, all within the last five games. <\/p>\n He got the bump to the top line with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith<\/a> against the Boston Bruins on Sunday. During Tuesday\u2019s practice, the 23-year-old stuck with that group. <\/p>\n #SJSharks<\/a> lines at practice: Orlov-Liljegren He\u2019s played with Celebrini before, but not as much with Smith. Tyler Toffoli<\/a> was often the other winger when Eklund played with the Sharks\u2019 No. 1 center.<\/p>\n Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.<\/p>\n Eklund says playing with the San Jose Sharks\u2019 top forwards could become one of the premier lines in the entire NHL.<\/p>\n \u201cTwo very skilled guys. [I want to] compliment their speed and skill,\u201d Eklund said. \u201cI think our line could be a really good line in this league.\u201d<\/p>\n Eklund\u2019s play before the injury was arguably the best of his career, 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists) in 13 games. His goal-scoring was up, but has since taken a back seat. <\/p>\n The San Jose Sharks forward told SHD during training camp that he wanted to add more attributes to his game.<\/p>\n Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.<\/p>\n As far as how that\u2019s going, Eklund says sometimes the bounces just aren\u2019t going his way.<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes you\u2019re gonna score. You\u2019re in a good mood when you\u2019re scoring all the time, and sometimes you\u2019re not,\u201d Eklund said.<\/p>\n But he\u2019s also gained the trust of head coach Ryan Warsofsky in critical moments. Although he hasn\u2019t cashed in during an empty net scenario, Eklund is regularly on the ice with Collin Graf<\/a> and Celebrini in those situations.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s something I want to have. I\u2019m trying to close out games and be in the game when we want to score,\u201d Eklund said. \u201cThat\u2019s the guy I want to try to be. I think it is going better and better. I\u2019m trying to have that trust too.\u201d<\/p>\n From Warsofsky\u2019s perspective, Eklund has been playing well, but there\u2019s another level he can get to.<\/p>\n Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.<\/p>\n \u201cPlaying on the inside ice is going to be important for Eky. I thought he had a really good start to the year. The injury slowed him down a little bit,\u201d Warsofsky said. \u201c[We\u2019ve got to get him] back up to top speed that he can get to. I thought he had a step in the right direction against Boston. His game usually gets going here. I know it\u2019s hard being out, and we\u2019ve got to get him back going and shooting some pucks and playing on the inside.\u201d<\/p>\n Eklund could be getting some extra ice time against the Colorado Avalanche if Toffoli misses the game. If the winger doesn\u2019t play, the San Jose Sharks will likely dress 11F and 7D.<\/p>\n Read more news and stories about the San Jose Sharks on\u00a0Sharks Hockey Digest<\/a>! Bookmark the page and follow Sharks Hockey Digest on Twitter @SharksHKYDigest<\/a>!\n<\/p>\n Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.\t\t\t
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Leddy-Klingberg\u2014 Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) November 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n