It’s almost Victor Eklund decision time.
When the puck drops Tuesday night against the Anaheim Ducks, the New York Islanders rookie will play his ninth NHL game of the season.
But 10 is the magic number.
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The New York Islanders’ 4-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night could become a pivotal moment for the team early in the season.
Once Eklund skates in his 10th game, whether that’s Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings or at a later date, the first year of his three-year entry-level contract (ELC) will be burned.
For those unfamiliar with the rule, a player who signs his ELC at 18 can have the contract slide for up to two seasons, provided he plays fewer than 10 NHL games in each season.
Eklund, who turned 20 on Oct. 3, signed his ELC in July 2025. Because he played just one NHL game last season, his contract slid a year.
It’s also important not to confuse the ELC slide rule with the restrictions on sending certain junior-eligible players to the American Hockey League.
Eklund came through Sweden’s hockey system, so he’s eligible to play for Hamilton regardless of whether he reaches 10 NHL games.
And to me, that matters more than the contract itself.