Victor Eklund is making his case to earn a role with the New York Islanders at training camp

The New York Islanders are entering training camp with a familiar philosophy around their developing players: don’t force timelines, but do demand results. For Victor Eklund, the message translates into one practical reality. His path to a more secure spot on the roster depends on how quickly he can separate himself in camp as the organization works through its depth-chart picture.

According to Yahoo Sports, the Islanders are preparing to head into training camp about a month from now, and they intend to treat the camp battle as a measuring stick for players fighting for playing time. In that setting, Eklund’s summer work matters as much as his track record, because an established depth group still has to be sorted and the coaching staff can prioritize what they see as readiness over reputation.

Eklund has already tasted NHL action. The team’s offseason discussion and the timing of camp place more weight on his ability to repeat that experience and build on it, rather than treating his earlier NHL game as proof that the next step is automatic. The photo caption from his most recent NHL appearance described him skating against the Carolina Hurricanes while playing in his first NHL game at UBS Arena on April 14, 2026. The Islanders, like most teams, will use the gap between that moment and the start of next season to evaluate whether he can translate flashes into consistency.

Training camp will be the environment where that consistency is tested. Islanders prospects and fringe veterans typically find out quickly whether their game translates to the pace and detail of team play, and Eklund’s opportunity is framed as something he will need to earn. Yahoo Sports’ account emphasizes that the Islanders do not want to rush their prospects, which implies that even if Eklund has the talent to be on the NHL radar, the organization expects the workload, execution, and compete level to match a role that sticks.

This is also a test of opportunity within a broader Islanders roster-building approach. When a team chooses not to rush prospects, it is usually because it wants to protect long-term development while still chasing short-term performance. That balance often means a prospect has to arrive with a clear “why now” case, especially for forward depth where coaches look for both structure and speed of decision-making.

For Eklund, the next few weeks will likely be less about one standout practice and more about whether he can stay on the right side of the details. That includes how he supports teammates, how reliably he can handle forechecking and defensive responsibilities, and how well he adapts once line combinations and matchups begin to tighten. If he can do that while the Islanders sort out who gets minutes at the start of the year, his stock should rise.

What to watch next is straightforward: how the Islanders describe their summer and camp competition around Eklund, whether he gets repeated looks in more meaningful segments of practice, and whether he separates himself in the early pecking order. Even with an “earn it” mindset, camp can quickly clarify who is only auditioning and who has earned a place in the plan for the season.

In the end, the Islanders’ stance on not rushing prospects sets the frame for everything Eklund does from now until camp. His job is to turn that frame into momentum, so that when training camp begins, he is positioned not just to participate in the competition, but to win his way into a more lasting NHL role.