Victor Eklund (Photo courtesy of the New York Islanders)
ELMONT, NY — New York Islanders top prospect Victor Eklund’s NHL debut came with a disagreement with one of his team’s most prominent players, Bo Horvat
The 19-year-old rookie picked up his first career point with a secondary assist on Horvat’s 300th career goal during Tuesday night’s 2-1 season-finale loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Horvat, despite joining the less-than-3% fraternity of all-time NHLers to reach 300 career goals, didn’t hesitate to retrieve the puck from the crease in an attempt to give the puck to Eklund.
“You’ll never forget your first NHL game, let alone your first NHL point,” Horvat said. “He’s gotta have that.”
Eklund, though, believes that the puck should go to Horvat.
“I told him he should keep it,” the young Swede said. “300 goals is just amazing… not a lot of people can do that.”
Replied Horvat: “He’s going to have to fight me over it. I’m not taking that puck.”
One of the nicer stand-offs you’ll ever see was created by a nifty pass made by Eklund, who, with 6:46 to go in the second period on a delayed penalty, threaded the puck from the right wall across the circles to Mathew Barzal, who in turn fed Horvat in the slot for a one-timer that beat Carolina netminder Brandon Bussi.
“I didn’t do so much, I just passed it,” Eklund joked. “I guess I helped put it in a good spot for Horvat.”
It was the highlight of a strong debut and first impression for head coach Pete DeBoer, who placed Eklund on the first line and top power-play unit alongside Horvat.
“He did a great job,” DeBoer said. “He came in, really skilled kid. He’s got a great motor. Relentless… He’s got a bright future. Great to get him in his first game and for him to get a point.”
DeBoer, who came in with four games left in the regular season after Patrick Roy was fired, now oversees what is expected to be an offseason of significant change for an Islanders team that has missed the playoffs for a second straight season.
Eklund could very well be a part of that future plan.
“He looked comfortable out there more and more as the game went on,” Horvat said. “He worked super hard, had opportunities, and made plays. He’s going to continue to keep getting better and feeling more comfortable game by game, and hopefully, he cracks our lineup next fall.”
