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The San Jose Sharks don't have a deep prospect pool – however, the two clear names to be excited about are Thomas Bordeleau and William Eklund.

The Sharks drafted Bordeleau with the 38th pick in the 2020 draft and since then, the forward has posted excellent numbers over the last two years with the University fo Michigan. Bordeleau was called up at the end of the season for the Sharks as well, managing five assists in just eight games.

THOMAS BORDELEAU WINS THE SHOOTOUT 😤 pic.twitter.com/PnzV31a7XN

— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) April 25, 2022

Eklund, on the other hand, was taken with the seventh-overall pick last year and arguably immediately became the team’s top prospect. At just 19 years old, Eklund got into nine NHL games this season, registering four assists, before the Sharks made the decision to send him back to Sweden for the season to preserve a year of his entry-level contact.

Heading into next season though, both forwards should have the opportunity to earn a permanent NHL role, given San Jose’s shortage of top forwards.

For Eklund, getting a full-time role in the top-nine, if not the top-six, is certainly realistic. Timo Meier is the team’s only legitimate top-six winger and even penciling in Alexander Barabanov and Rudolfs Balcers for top-nine spots, as well as competition from the likes of Kevin Labanc, Jonathan Dahlen and Noah Gregor, Eklund seems like a safe bet to take a spot.

For Bordeleau, a spot as the team’s third-line center is possible. Nick Bonino could work well in a fourth-line role at this point given his minimal production and Bordeleau could still be sheltered by Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl.

Some top young talent could provide freshness to the Sharks’ lineup next season and even if the team won’t likely get near the playoffs, it could be a big step for the development of both Bordeleau and Eklund. While neither is necessarily a lock to make the team, both should get a great opportunity.


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