San Jose Sharks prospect William Eklund scored one goal during the 2021-22 regular season. 

For a player that was drafted No. 7 overall in 2021, and played briefly in the NHL that season, it was disappointing. 

He scored 11 the previous year with Djurgårdens IF and many more in the team’s Junior system before, but pucks simply didn’t go in for him during his final SHL campaign. 

And he had opportunities to score; the team, low on scoring talent, offered him a bigger role upon his return from his nine-game stint with the San Jose Sharks. The coaching staff employed him like a veteran, giving him top-six minutes and powerplay chances in the hope of earning some wins and avoiding relegation. But despite his opportunities, the forcefield that enveloped the net only seem to grow stronger every time