Prospect Info: Joel Eriksson Ek (C) - 20th Overall, 2015

[TaLoN]

I'm pretty skeptical about that "fluent" part or did i miss the sarcasm?

This was noted back when Dumba joined the team. He had roomed in the past with Brodin and was able to converse with him in Swedish already, and when they both were on the Wild, Dumba would constantly talk with Brodin in his native tongue.

Thus we know Dumba's been talking Swedish for years already.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

So has the shine wore off enough that we can send him somewhere where he will get 15+ minutes a night and special teams time?

 

[BusQuets]

So has the shine wore off enough that we can send him somewhere where he will get 15+ minutes a night and special teams time?

I would agree. He was never as good as the stats would indicate, he was really opportunistic. He's gonna be a good one as early as next season i think.

 

[Minnesota]

Wouldn't be opposed to seeing him playing top line in Iowa, but unfortunately we're still ravaged by injuries. Once we're healthy, send him to Iowa where he'll play 20 minutes a night.

 

[Ladde]

We might need him as injury cover in Iowa but that will burn one year off from that contract of his.

 

[42]

With the Wild having trouble scoring, why not try him in a top six role and try to take advantage of his wicked release?

 

[Wabit]

1 game left to decide if they are willing to burn a year of his contract.

I like his game so far, just don't know if it's worth it when all he gets is ~10 mins a night. He's a good 4th liner right now (ability to play up lines if required), but doubtful to see much PP time. Parise will come back (right?) and bump him further down the depth chart of FWDs.

Tough call on Minny, AHL, or SHL. Glad I'm not the one that has to decide.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

Hope he gets sent to the AHL to play top line duties.

 

[FVM]

Hope he gets sent to the AHL to play top line duties.

That would be ideal. Iowa seems to finally have a decent team. If he badly wants to go back to Färjestad, that's fine too. Just don't keep him up with the Wild as he's not getting enough minutes to develop into a stud.

 

[57special]

That would be ideal. Iowa seems to finally have a decent team. If he badly wants to go back to Färjestad, that's fine too. Just don't keep him up with the Wild as he's not getting enough minutes to develop into a stud.

I agree. If they think he will be happier in Sweden, then send him there, but if he's game for Iowa( and the implication that good play down there will earn him call ups with the big club)then that's good too.

He has been pretty reliable. I think the Wild will be tempted to keep him here as a fourth liner. It's not like Pulkkinen, Graovac, or Schroeder have shown they are worthy of supplanting him. Graovac, in particular, is the guy I think they want to play up here. I can see why. Big body, and surprisingly fast, better than average hands for a fourth liner, but so far, anyway, he seems to lack the drive and aggressiveness needed to be a successful NHL'er.

 

[gphr513]

I kinda hope he goes to Iowa. They already seem decent. Adding Ek will only help.

Would be nice to have a winning attitude down there.

 

[Wabit]

That puck to the chin looked ouchie. But it gives the Wild a reason to sit him tomorrow if they want more time to think about his future.

 

[Minnesota]

Moment of truth tonight...

Russo:

Perhaps a sign that rookie Joel Eriksson Ek isn’t being sent back to his pro club, Farjestad, in Sweden before playing his 10th NHL game is Boudreau thought Saturday’s game was Eriksson Ek’s 10th.

It was actually his ninth. But since the coach thought it was his 10th, the Wild, as GM Chuck Fletcher has said, doesn’t seem to care about burning the first year of his three-year contract.

Eriksson Ek started Saturday’s game on the fourth line for a second game in a row, but Boudreau noted, “I used him in the last 10 minutes [in Pittsburgh] when I went down to three lines, so I think he’s pretty responsible.â€

Fletcher was noncommittal toward Eriksson Ek’s future Saturday.

 

[NHL1674]

 

[Wabit]

Opening up a contract slot probably has as much to do with the decision of SHL or AHL if he's sent down. It's a little bit extra flexibility when it comes to potential trades or waiver claims the rest of the season.

 

[57special]

One comment on the article above that made me laugh was, " they should send Pominville to Sweden".

If Ek isn't going OT be an impact player up here, then I'm fine with him going to Sweden. Getting a taste of the NHL , then being able to go back and work on things over the next year while in a familiar environment, should be good for him. Moving him around like a yo-yo isn't.

I'm impressed with his physicality and two way play, but I want him to work on his puck skills and offensive game a bit more. We've got guys who can do the fourth line thing. I want him to be a top sixer in the future.

 

[Minnesota]

Russo:

Asked why he could develop better in Sweden rather than the chief minor league team the Wild runs, Fletcher said, “Having stability and not being on a yo-yo might be good for a 19-year-old kid. He’s still just 19. We can’t forget that. He’s really developed physically the last year, but I think having stability and going back to an environment where he’ll play consistently and know the environment well, I think that will benefit him.

I like these comments from Fletcher. You can tell he cares about the players as people.

 

[DANOZ28]

i wish fletch cared about leddy but this is a JEE thread so i'll just say i've been pleasantly surprised at how well jewel has played. crossing my fingers JEE or kunin will step up & become our #1 center of the future. (the other #2)

 

[BusQuets]

Would have hoped that he had went to IOWA now that there is some legit talent to play with. Although it doesn't seem like he has much problems in the small rink. Just needs to continue to get stronger and faster and he can do that in Sweden too.

 

[Al Lagoon]

Russo:


I like these comments from Fletcher. You can tell he cares about the players as people.

CF did make a pretty convincing case for Farjestad. I agree that it would be better than winter on the Zucker-Reilly Memorial Highway.

As good has Ek has looked, he can still get much better. Willing to wait for the player he can become.

 

[Minnesota]

Just watched his Becoming Wild episode.

2:58 is my favorite part. Great shot of JEE on the bench after his first NHL goal, getting recognition from Boudreau and Zucker. He's got a huge smile on his face. Awesome to see.

 

[Saga of the Elk]

Hope they do send him back - burning a year is just not good management. Fletch's disregard for the cap is a big part of this club's problems. It's too bad FBK was already eliminated in Champions League - JEE might have made the difference, and that kind of tournament would have been good for him. WJC will be good as well.

On the bright side, this is a highly intelligent and skillful hockey player. The heir apparent to Koivu.

 

[BagHead]

Hope they do send him back - burning a year is just not good management. Fletch's disregard for the cap is a big part of this club's problems. It's too bad FBK was already eliminated in Champions League - JEE might have made the difference, and that kind of tournament would have been good for him. WJC will be good as well.

On the bright side, this is a highly intelligent and skillful hockey player. The heir apparent to Koivu.

Sure, it would have been good. But so is scoring instantly in the NHL, and then having that offense dry up and realizing again how hard it is to score, and hopefully analyzing what you need to work on to stick at that level. I like to think that the 9 game window is an opportunity for a player to see what they're working toward, and what they need to do to actually get there, which can be very valuable information.

There are lots of opportunities out there that are good for a hockey player's development, but you can't do them all. Like you said, he's the heir apparent to Koivu, and I'm excited about him. The only time I've ever legitimately seen a prospect ruined is when they've been rushed to the NHL immediately and are overwhelmed, or when the prospect has done it themselves (work ethic, drugs, poor life decisions, etc.). The rest of the players that don't make it develop fine, but just don't get good enough. I think JEE will make it, as long as we don't keep him in the NHL playing 4th line minutes.

 

[W75]

Russo:


I like these comments from Fletcher. You can tell he cares about the players as people.

Kind of hoped seeing him in Iowa, although this could be a right decision too. Skill wise he's ready for NA.. on the other hand, no reason to rush. Kind of mixed feelings, but I understand both sides.

 

[57special]

Hope they do send him back - burning a year is just not good management. Fletch's disregard for the cap is a big part of this club's problems. It's too bad FBK was already eliminated in Champions League - JEE might have made the difference, and that kind of tournament would have been good for him. WJC will be good as well.

On the bright side, this is a highly intelligent and skillful hockey player. The heir apparent to Koivu.

Don't know how I didn't see that obvious comparison earlier. I don't think Koivu was ever as fast as Ek, but otherwise, I can see similarities. It would be a big win for the Wild if Ek ever approaches Koivu's level, but it's possible.