Joel Eriksson-Ek

[Elpidio1975]

Hey guys any of you think this guy can be a solid point producer for the Wild in the near future? With Staal aging and Koivu most likely not returning, can anyone see Eriksson-Ek getting solid deployment and producing? Thanks for reading guys I always love your input.

[jshed2]

Getting solid deployment absolutely, producing is a different story though. He was already playing as the Wild's 2C for the end of the season + playoffs and didn't have a whole lot to show for it. There just isn't the offensive depth with the Wild for being the 2C to mean much. Their 2nd line wingers are some combination of Parise, Kunin, Greenway and Zucc non of which can boost his output. I'd expect 40-50 points for him going forward.

[Eskimo Brother]

I would hope/expect 40-50 from him but no more.

[Bubba55]

I think JEK is going to be a solid asset starting next year. In points only, his value is somewhat limited and 50 pts, perhaps give a little in a good year, could be the ceiling. However, in a multi cat his value should be higher. JEK already contributes solid peripherals, if his role increases offensively, which is likely, he is most definitely on the radar. Depends on you scoring format, pts only, meh, multi cat, OK.

[Trubittisky]

6 points in 7 games so far. Looking really good out there but stuck on the 3rd line. I think he'll get moved up by at least one line. Bonino and Bjugstad aren't exactly looking stellar out there

[Pengwin7]

Well... Ek is a 7.5% career shooter... who is shooting 18.2% right now with his 22sog in 7gp.
So... he really should normalize more to about 2g,2a at this point.
That said... his 22sog in 7gp is MUCH higher than his past rates of about 1.5-1.7sog/gp.

He's a 20th overall pick from what was a VERY strong 2015 draft:
16. Barzal
17. Connor
18. Chabot
19. E.Svechnikov
20. Eriksson Ek
21. C White
22. Samsonov
23. Boeser
24. Konecny

Centers often take a bit longer to *pop* because a solid two-way game takes time...
And a lot of coaches want their young centers to be defensively stable before giving them the green light to shoot more...
That said, putting up these points playing C3 with Greenway/M.Foligno has been impressive.
I haven't caught a ton of Wild hockey - but it seems like that may be their best even-strength line so far this year!

Overall - I do expect him to *pop* this year, from pacing in the 30s to pacing 50s.
Lots of mid/late 1st round centers take 4+ years.

Couturier is great example.
Ek won't be Couturier... but possibly a lighter version, settling in the 50-60pt range if he gets some PP time.

I was actually a bit surprised that Ek opened at C3... with Bjugstad at C1.
I could foresee that flip-flopping... because I'm not seeing much in the 12min/TOI per night Bjugstad.

[Goal]

Sorry to jump on this, but I am looking at picking him up.

Is it worth dropping one of Nelson, Duchene, or Getzlaf for him? Cats are in my signature

[Trubittisky]

Drop Getzlaf

[Pengwin7]

I would drop Getzlaf.
He's toast (He's too old & slow, isn't on PP1, and isn't shooting the puck).

[Goal]

I would drop Getzlaf.
He's toast (He's too old & slow, isn't on PP1, and isn't shooting the puck).

That's what I have leaning towards, he has also lowed down his hits from the start of the year (the only reason I picked him up).

When ever benn comes back I will most likely be dropping Duchene or Dvorak

[tweetdrivr]

https://dobberhockey.com/2021/01/24/...et-the-ek-out/

[J0e Th0rnton]

6 points in 7 games so far. Looking really good out there but stuck on the 3rd line. I think he'll get moved up by at least one line. Bonino and Bjugstad aren't exactly looking stellar out there

Neither is Victor Rask.

I picked up Eriksson Ek a week ago when i saw him line change on with Kaprizov and they flew together for a few shifts and looked genuinely like they were enjoying it and tilting the ice. The coach is a dumbass so it might take awhile. but those two are going to wind up together. Even if he doesn't in the next month, Zuccarello is back soon.

Currently Greenway/Ek/Foligno is the best line on the wild. Since Fiala and Kaprisov are RW on the top 2 lines with Parise and Johanssen LW on the top 2 lines, by default, Zuccarello likely becomes a huge upgrade on Ek's line.