Summary
The New York Islanders have officially brought up two players from their minor league team, the Bridgeport Islanders. Top prospect Victor Eklund and forward Liam Foudy were called up to join the main roster on Tuesday. This move happens just as the Islanders prepare for their final game of the season. Since the team will not be playing in the playoffs this year, the coaching staff wants to see how these younger players perform at the highest level. It is a chance for the team to look at its future talent before the summer break begins.
Main Impact
The biggest news from this move is the likely NHL debut of Victor Eklund. He was the team’s first-round draft pick in 2025 and is considered one of the most promising young players in the organization. By bringing him up now, the Islanders are giving him a small taste of professional hockey in North America before next season. For Liam Foudy, this recall is a reward for a very strong season in the minor leagues. It gives him a chance to show the coaches that he deserves a spot on the team next year, especially since his contract is about to end.
Key Details
What Happened
The Islanders announced the roster changes on Tuesday, April 14. Victor Eklund and Liam Foudy were moved from Bridgeport in the American Hockey League (AHL) to the New York Islanders in the National Hockey League (NHL). This decision comes after the Islanders were officially knocked out of the race for the playoffs. Head coach Peter DeBoer has expressed a desire to give younger players some playing time in the season finale to see what they can do. Eklund is expected to take the spot of a veteran player in the lineup for the final game.
Important Numbers and Facts
Victor Eklund has been playing very well since he arrived in North America. In just seven games with the Bridgeport Islanders, he has recorded nine points, including seven assists. Before coming to the AHL, he played in Sweden’s top league, where he scored 24 points in 43 games. He was chosen by the Islanders with the 16th overall pick in the 2025 draft.
Liam Foudy is also having a great year. He has played 58 games for Bridgeport this season and has scored 25 goals and 21 assists for a total of 46 points. This is the best scoring season of his career so far. Foudy is 26 years old and was originally a first-round pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2018. He joined the Islanders organization after playing for both Columbus and Nashville in previous years.
Background and Context
Victor Eklund comes from a family with deep roots in professional hockey. His older brother, William Eklund, is already a successful player for the San Jose Sharks. Victor spent most of his early career playing in Sweden for a team called Djurgården. He helped that team move up to a higher league and even won a gold medal at the World Junior Championships. His style of play is described as high-energy; he works hard to get the puck back and has a very strong shot.
Liam Foudy’s situation is a bit different. He has been in the NHL before but has struggled to stay on a roster permanently. He signed a "two-way" contract with the Islanders last summer. A two-way contract means a player gets paid a different salary depending on whether they play in the NHL or the minor leagues. Because Foudy is about to become a "restricted free agent," the Islanders have to decide if they want to keep him. Bringing him up for the final game suggests they are seriously considering giving him a new contract for next season.
Public or Industry Reaction
Fans of the Islanders are generally excited about these moves. When a team misses the playoffs, the supporters often look for reasons to be hopeful about the future. Seeing a top draft pick like Eklund make his debut provides that hope. Hockey experts have noted that Eklund’s transition from European hockey to the smaller ice rinks in North America has been much faster than expected. Coach Peter DeBoer has also been praised for his willingness to play younger athletes. He mentioned that it is important to see which players can make a real impact on the game as the team plans for the coming years.
What This Means Going Forward
The final game of the season will serve as a test for both players. For Eklund, it is the start of what the team hopes will be a long and successful career in New York. If he plays well, he will likely enter training camp next fall with a great chance to make the opening night roster. For Foudy, the stakes are about job security. He needs to show that his high scoring in the minor leagues can translate to the NHL. The team will use the data and video from this final game to make big decisions during the summer. They need to decide which players to keep, which to let go, and how much they need to change the roster to get back into the playoffs next year.
Final Take
While the Islanders' season did not end with a playoff run, these roster moves give the fans something to watch. It is a smart move to prioritize youth and evaluation when the games no longer affect the standings. Victor Eklund represents the future of the franchise, while Liam Foudy represents a player working hard to prove he still belongs. Watching how they handle the pressure of the NHL will be the main story as the team closes out its schedule and looks toward a fresh start next season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Victor Eklund?
Victor Eklund is a young hockey player from Sweden who was drafted 16th overall by the New York Islanders in 2025. He is the younger brother of NHL player William Eklund.
Why did the Islanders call up these players now?
The Islanders are out of the playoffs, so they are using the final game of the season to test their younger prospects and see how they perform in the NHL.
What is a restricted free agent?
A restricted free agent is a player whose contract is ending, but their current team still has the right to keep them by making a specific contract offer. Liam Foudy will be in this position this summer.
