During the 2023–24 season, Eklund split time between Djurgårdens IF and its under-20 team and in the J20 Nationell. He recorded seven goals and 18 assists in 30 games in the junior league, before being promoted. He then recorded one goal and three assists in 15 games in the HockeyAllsvenskan.
On 27 June 2025, Eklund was selected 16th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2025 NHL entry draft. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Islanders on 14 July. After playing the 2025–26 season for Djurgårdens IF of the SHL and then the Islanders' AHL affiliate Bridgeport Islanders, Eklund was called up to the Islanders for their final game of the season against the Carolina Hurricanes on 14 April 2026 and recorded an assist on a goal by Bo Horvat.
On 3 October 2026, his 20th birthday, Eklund registered his first career NHL goal in a 6–0 win over the New Jersey Devils.
Eklund represented Sweden at the 2024 World U18 Championships where he recorded four goals and two assists in seven games and won a bronze medal.
In December 2024, he was selected to represent Sweden at the 2025 World Junior Championships. During the tournament he recorded two goals and four assists in seven games. In December 2025, he was again selected to represent Sweden at the 2026 World Junior Championships. He recorded two goals and six assists in seven games and won a gold medal. This was Sweden's first gold medal at the World Junior Championship since 2012.
Personal life
Eklund is the son of former professional ice hockey player Christian Eklund, who played several seasons for Djurgårdens IF. He represents the third member of his immediate family to play professionally for the club, alongside his father and his brother, William Eklund, who also began his senior career with Djurgårdens IF.
↑Bengtsson, Janne (16 August 2021). "William näste från hockeyfamiljen Eklund"[William is the next in line from the Eklund hockey family]. NHL.com (in Swedish). Retrieved 5 April 2026.
Sweden
