Quick Hits Sharks’ top prospect injured in AHL game

William Eklund, the Sharks’ top forward prospect, is considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury he sustained in the San Jose Barracuda’s game with the Colorado Eagles on Wednesday.

Eklund was injured in the second period when he fell to the ice in an awkward fashion following a puck battle with Colorado’s Nate Clurman. Eklund then slowly skated to the Barracuda’s bench, holding his arm, and did not return to the game.

Sharks coach David Quinn said the organization will probably know more about Eklund’s injury after the Barracuda return to San Jose today.

The Barracuda lost to Colorado 3-2 as the Eagles completed the two-game series sweep.

Eklund, 20, had three points in eight games for the Sharks this month but was officially returned to the AHL on Sunday. He played in the Barracuda’s game against Colorado on Tuesday, an 8-0 San Jose loss.

The Barracuda (26-31-1-4) are trying to secure a spot in the playoffs, as it entered Thursday in eighth place in the AHL’s Pacific Division with 57 points, three back of seventh-place Tucson with 10 regular season games remaining. The top seven teams in the Pacific Division make the postseason.

Eklund, who was drafted seventh overall by the Sharks in 2021, is the Barracuda’s second-leading scorer this season with 41 points in 57 games. The team’s leading scorer, Andrew Agozzino, was recalled by the Sharks on Sunday to take Eklund’s spot on the NHL roster.

Tristen Robins scored both of San Jose’s goals Wednesday on the power play. One was assisted by defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin, who earned his first point with the Barracuda in his second game with the team. Mukhamadullin was part of the package that the Sharks received from the New Jersey Devils for Timo Meier last month.

— Curtis Pashelka, Bay Area News Group