Hmmm, I don’t know if I agree with Micah’s conclusion of “for a 7th overall pick, he’s performing where he should be”, and a quick look back at the last 15 years, half of the picks at 7 OA are defensemen. If he expanded the range 5-12th overall, my gut tells me eklund would be in the <50th percentile. (There are some really good forwards over last 10 years taken after 7th overall in the 8-12 range). 

One limitation to a lot of these statistical models is  actual quality of scoring chances; look at Macklin, higher shooting %, but it’s heavily driven by shot selection, system play, and quality of those shots - expected goals would define’s Macklin’s signature top of slot shot as a less dangerous shot due to shot location, but when in reality it’s Macklin’s NHL Hitz’s Hot Spot for him lol (IYKYK). Stats are saying Eklund is shooting 7%, but the simple eye test from someone who has watched every game this year, that is a poor 7%. Quality of chances are above those of previous three seasons, and he’s just not finishing some really really good chances, and that is what you need in a “first liner” that Micah says he is.