Top prospects for San Jose Sharks

NHL.com is providing in-depth roster, prospect and fantasy analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, the top five prospects for the San Jose Sharks, according to NHL.com.

1. William Eklund, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 7 pick in 2021 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: San Jose (NHL): 8 GP, 2-1-3; San Jose (AHL): 54 GP, 17-24-41

Eklund (5-foot-11, 181 pounds) will be ready for training camp following March 30 surgery to repair a torn labrum on his left shoulder and given a legitimate chance to skate on his 21st birthday when the Sharks begin the regular season at home against the Vegas Golden Knights on Oct. 12. He ended his first full season in North America tied for third on the Barracuda in goals and points and impressed Sharks coach David Quinn during limited action in the NHL.

"I thought there was a consistency to his game, his effort and his attention," Quinn said. "I really liked a lot about what I saw."

Projected NHL arrival: This season

2. William Smith, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 4 pick in 2023 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: USNTDP (USHL): 60 GP, 51-76-127

Smith (6-0, 181) was one of an NHL-high seven players representing the Sharks at the 2023 World Junior Summer Showcase from July 27-Aug. 4. His 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) in seven games at the 2023 IIHF World Under-18 Championship tied a United States tournament record held by Jack Hughes (2019) en route to a gold medal. The 18-year-old was second on USA Hockey's National Team Development Program Under-18 team in points last season and is committed to play at Boston College this season.

"He's got swagger," Quinn said. "You can't be a great player unless you think you're a great player. He walks that fine line of playing with swagger and not arrogance. That's a great sign for us."

Projected NHL arrival: Next season

3. Thomas Bordeleau, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 38 pick in 2020 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: San Jose (NHL): 8 GP, 0-2-2; San Jose (AHL): 65 GP, 22-19-41

Bordeleau (5-10, 175) could break camp as a center or wing, and Quinn said this season is the time for him to get it done. The 21-year-old's versatility will help. He has seven assists in 16 NHL games.

"It's like any small player," Sharks director of amateur scouting Chris Morehouse said. "It's figuring out ways to have the same success offensively and everywhere you've been and finding it in a pro game consistently. He's taken a lot of really good steps and it's going to be up to him to come training camp (and) dictate what's his next step."

Projected NHL arrival: This season

4.  Filip Bystedt, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 27 pick in 2022 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Linkoping (SHL): 45 GP, 7-13-20; Linkoping Jr. (SHL): 1 GP, 0-0-0

Bystedt (6-2, 187) was one of seven players at the summer showcase who played for fourth-place Sweden at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship. His 10 points (four goals, six assists) tied for first on the team.

The 19-year-old, named the 2023 Swedish Hockey League rookie of the year, signed a three-year, entry-level contract June 12. He was the Sharks first draft pick after Mike Grier was named general manager July 5, 2022.

"I think he looks like he's taken another step this year," Sweden coach Magnus Havelid said at the WJSS on July 29. "I think he's been more steady defensively but he's still an offensive player. He helps us speed up the game, play up tempo. When he comes up from behind, he can see the ice very well, the way we can attack."

Projected NHL arrival: 2025-26

5. Shakir Mukhamadullin, D

How acquired: Trade with New Jersey Devils on Feb. 26

2022-23 season: San Jose (AHL): 12 GP, 1-9-10; Ufa (KHL): 67 GP, 6-19-25

Mukhamadullin (6-4, 178) made his North American regular-season debut last season. The 21-year-old led Ufa defensemen in assists, points and plus-minus (plus-16), his career highs in the Kontinental Hockey League. He was chosen by the Devils with the No. 20 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.

"Obviously he's got the hype, but he's still got lots of filling out to do, so there's a lot of unknown in terms of excitement with his upside," Morehouse said. "I also think there's a lot of things you can hang your head on and say, 'Well, this is an NHL player, this is an NHL skill set.' If you have enough of those, it can be hard for those kids not to play."

Projected NHL arrival: 2025-26

NHL.com deputy managing editor Adam Kimelman contributed to this report