Penguins Draft Scouting & Analysis: Victor Eklund, Could He Fall to No. 11?

We have made much of the centers at the top of the 2025 NHL Draft, and we’ve recently shifted some focus to the defensemen likely to be available at the No. 11 or 12 spots, at which the Pittsburgh Penguins will select. The one thing we have not yet done is look at one of the most talented wingers in the draft, Victor Eklund.

Eklund is a spunky right wing with a big personality and plenty of goals in tow, despite playing in the Swedish Elite League with expected top-five pick Anton Frondell for the Djurgardens IF. He cracked up reporters at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo last month by teasing Frondell and otherwise enjoying the attention.

The 5-foot-11, 169-pound RW certainly lacks size but makes up for it with other attributes, which make him quite an attractive pick. Scouts note his straight line speed, but also his edge work. He is feisty and, despite the numbers on the scale, likes to deliver checks and play a physical game in the corners. His speed allows for a good forecheck, and his willingness to engage also means he finishes his checks.

Scouts note his creativity both with the puck and away from it, as he is able to find open areas in the slot for scoring chances.

His shot is obviously good enough to score against professional goaltenders, as he notched 19 goals last season in the SEL.

Indeed, his skill set is the reason he was projected in the top six or seven by draftniks for most of the past year. However, now it seems the Swede could fall as teams race to select the centers at the top of the draft, a few defensemen are finding themselves en vogue as well.

Could Eklund fall all the way to No. 11, at which point the Penguins would have two chances to select him?

In recent mock drafts, he has fallen to No. 9 and 10. NHL.com’s mock has him to Anaheim at No. 10, but if Anaheim selects Radim Mrtka or Jackson Smith instead, then Eklund would be on the table for the Penguins.

**See all of the prospect videos on the Penguins Prospects Page.

While Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas has admitted he would like to strengthen the organization’s depth at center and the blue line, the old adage of taking the best available player seemingly would apply here.

Indeed, the only knocks on Eklund have been his size. Yet, he’s only 18, and more and more players with the right skill sets are able to compete in the NHL without being 200 pounds.

If Dubas was willing to select Zach Benson, who was drafted 13th overall, just one pick ahead of the Penguins in the 2023 NHL Draft, certainly Dubas would not pass up Eklund with one of his two picks in the middle third of the first round. Eklund might be able to make the jump immediately to the NHL, or stay in Sweden playing against men to develop his skills further.

Matt Meagher put together another highlight package and scouting report on the zippy Swede who just might fall to the Penguins.