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

[nt3005]

I could swear that after a few flashes of brilliance and some other lucky points his icetime dropped dramatically and he also was a healthy scratch for multiple games before his departure
You might wanna think again. He just wasn't good enough. And he had lots of chances. Played lots of quality minutes but it just became clear he wasn't ready.

Or he was scratched because they were deciding if they wanted to burn the contract year? Pretty sure thats the actual case.

 

[ThatGuy22]

I think it's great! Who gives a **** if we burn a year of an ELC? This is the best team we've ever had, and I'm for going "all in".

We do have to temper expectations on Ek, though. He's still a young pup. What i do like about him is that he has decent size/strength, speed, and knows how to play a sound defensive game.

This team is in a bizarre funk right now. Any move that can get them out of it is much appreciated.

Can Ek play goalie?

This is where i'm at. Probably not the worst thing in the world to separate JEE, Kunin and Greenway's likely ELCs.

 

[Digitalbooya]

Or he was scratched because they were deciding if they wanted to burn the contract year? Pretty sure thats the actual case.

That's what I remember.

 

[ThatGuy22]

I could swear that after a few flashes of brilliance and some other lucky points his icetime dropped dramatically and he also was a healthy scratch for multiple games before his departure
You might wanna think again. He just wasn't good enough. And he had lots of chances. Played lots of quality minutes but it just became clear he wasn't ready.

As always, it's a little of column A and a little of Column B. After coming out strong, he was a little behind the pace and somewhat lost. After going PPG through his first 4 when he reached his peak ice time in game 5(12 minutes), he was largely invisible has last 5 and ice time was slowly cut until his last game he got 6 minutes.

 

[Hugart]

Just putting it out there.

Stew - Ek - Nino

That would be super cool.

Just a quick pop in the back of Hanzals head, leave him out for the wolves. No one will remember, no one will care.

 

[nt3005]

As always, it's a little of column A and a little of Column B. After coming out strong, he was a little behind the pace and somewhat lost. After going PPG through his first 4 when he reached his peak ice time in game 5(12 minutes), he was largely invisible has last 5 and ice time was slowly cut until his last game he got 6 minutes.

First 5: 10:40 Avg/toi
Last 5: 9:57 Avg/toi
This is his average Time on ice for his first five games and last five games, so both include his highest of 12+ in one game.

One minute isn't really that big considering his last game was on 6 minutes. Up until that last game his times stayed pretty consistent.

 

[57special]

Ek was mostly a non factor, at times even a liability. Tuch wasn't. I liked Tuch a lot. Lots of hustle and proved that he's a complete all round player. For a tall and heavy guy, I thought he showed very well. Has yet to find his scoring touch in the NHL but also didn't quite get the opportunities Ek had. Ek showed flashes of brilliance but overall I thought he played poorly. Shouldn't be more than Iowa reinforcement / depth option this season.

I don't know what you're talking about. Ek was far better than Tuch.

 

[brainfreeze]

Since I'm not smart enough to put the actual tweet up.

Michael Russo‏Verified account @Russostrib 12m12 minutes ago

Joel Eriksson Ek has arrived in the U.S. On way to Minnesota. Will practice with #mnwild tomorrow & likely play Thursday.

Not going to Iowa

 

[Minnesota]

Since I'm not smart enough to put the actual tweet up.

Michael Russo‏Verified account @Russostrib 12m12 minutes ago

Joel Eriksson Ek has arrived in the U.S. On way to Minnesota. Will practice with #mnwild tomorrow & likely play Thursday.

Not going to Iowa

Here's the tweet.



I'm not happy about this.

 

[gphr513]

Here's the tweet.



I'm not happy about this.

I am. We need something to shake things up. If they think Ek can help, come on down, kid.

 

[Digitalbooya]

Ek a liability? Tuch reliable? I think you honestly have them mixed up.

 

[Hinterland]

Ek a liability? Tuch reliable? I think you honestly have them mixed up.

Tuch played well. He and Graovac should be the first call up's.
I wrote that at times, Ek was a liability. Mostly, he just was a non factor. Also only won 37,5% of the faceoffs which even for a rookie is nowhere near good enough. I don't get why Ek should be in Minnesota. No upgrade over anybody in our top9 and to play in a 4th line role, he'd need to man up quite a bit. I don't see that happening and would rather give Schroeder a chance. The man did well so far.
Ek clearly had problems to adjust his game. AHL would be ideal for him now. My guess is though that he doesn't want to go to Iowa and only came over because they told him he wouldn't have to go. Him refusing to go to Iowa probably also the reason why he left to play in Sweden when it didn't work out with the Wild earlier this season. Of course, Fletcher and co. are always looking for depth but it's still a shame. Some european players just need time to adjust.

 

[123TripleDoge]

GMCF knew Parise would get hurt so now Ek can slide into LW

 

[57special]

I think you're on an island all by yourself, Hinterland.

 

[Hugart]

Tuch played well. He and Graovac should be the first call up's.
I wrote that at times, Ek was a liability. Mostly, he just was a non factor. Also only won 37,5% of the faceoffs which even for a rookie is nowhere near good enough. I don't get why Ek should be in Minnesota. No upgrade over anybody in our top9 and to play in a 4th line role, he'd need to man up quite a bit. I don't see that happening and would rather give Schroeder a chance. The man did well so far.
Ek clearly had problems to adjust his game. AHL would be ideal for him now. My guess is though that he doesn't want to go to Iowa and only came over because they told him he wouldn't have to go. Him refusing to go to Iowa probably also the reason why he left to play in Sweden when it didn't work out with the Wild earlier this season. Of course, Fletcher and co. are always looking for depth but it's still a shame. Some european players just need time to adjust.

This is not correct. He told this to the local papers a few days ago, and I quote: "I could absolutely think to end the season over there, but then it will be with Iowa Wild in AHL. But they haven't talked to me about that yet."

Source in Swedish, use google translate or whatever.

So he did not expect to be called to Minnesota, but to Iowa. All you say is just nonsense.

 

[Digitalbooya]

Tuch played well. He and Graovac should be the first call up's.
I wrote that at times, Ek was a liability. Mostly, he just was a non factor. Also only won 37,5% of the faceoffs which even for a rookie is nowhere near good enough. I don't get why Ek should be in Minnesota. No upgrade over anybody in our top9 and to play in a 4th line role, he'd need to man up quite a bit. I don't see that happening and would rather give Schroeder a chance. The man did well so far.
Ek clearly had problems to adjust his game. AHL would be ideal for him now. My guess is though that he doesn't want to go to Iowa and only came over because they told him he wouldn't have to go. Him refusing to go to Iowa probably also the reason why he left to play in Sweden when it didn't work out with the Wild earlier this season. Of course, Fletcher and co. are always looking for depth but it's still a shame. Some european players just need time to adjust.

I think the only thing he did poorly that you hit on is faceoffs. I don't recall him ever being a liability. I DO recall Tuch having some shifts where I felt he was slacking or not playing as hard as he should be.

If you'd rather have Schroeder play I've got nothing else to say except it's your opinion and I think it's wrong.

 

[Bazeek]

Tuch played well. He and Graovac should be the first call up's.
I wrote that at times, Ek was a liability. Mostly, he just was a non factor. Also only won 37,5% of the faceoffs which even for a rookie is nowhere near good enough. I don't get why Ek should be in Minnesota. No upgrade over anybody in our top9 and to play in a 4th line role, he'd need to man up quite a bit. I don't see that happening and would rather give Schroeder a chance. The man did well so far.
Ek clearly had problems to adjust his game. AHL would be ideal for him now. My guess is though that he doesn't want to go to Iowa and only came over because they told him he wouldn't have to go. Him refusing to go to Iowa probably also the reason why he left to play in Sweden when it didn't work out with the Wild earlier this season. Of course, Fletcher and co. are always looking for depth but it's still a shame. Some european players just need time to adjust.

There was no refusal to go to Iowa, at least not any inkling of one that's been made public. He went back to Farjestad because he'd be able to play top 6 minutes in a pro league on par with the AHL without worrying about adjusting to NA at the same time. Plus he'd get to play at the WJC. Per Russo.

Ek's development has been about as drama-free as it gets.

 

[Aceofspades]

They are starting his contract to put fire under the present team in a slump.

 

[Saga of the Elk]

They are starting his contract to put fire under the present team in a slump.

I would not trust Chuck Fletcher to hold onto a 20 dollar bill for me.

I hope this gamble works out, I like the player a lot, but it puts a lot of pressure on the payroll a couple of years down the road when the return is not likely to be worth it.

 

[theButton]

I would not trust Chuck Fletcher to hold onto a 20 dollar bill for me.

I hope this gamble works out, I like the player a lot, but it puts a lot of pressure on the payroll a couple of years down the road when the return is not likely to be worth it.

No. The point is to win and recent downturn aside they have a good chance to this year. Ek is a clear upgrade over White or whatever 12th forward. Great move. Go for the win.

 

[Aceofspades]

I would not trust Chuck Fletcher to hold onto a 20 dollar bill for me.

I hope this gamble works out, I like the player a lot, but it puts a lot of pressure on the payroll a couple of years down the road when the return is not likely to be worth it.

Would he ask the owner in a situation like this and list the pros and cons?
I am so high on Kunin that I would not worry and start preparing to move people, we need goalies for sure.
Ek did make the team so I understand the logic in bringing him for motivation and also as an realistic option if he really was good in Sweden.

 

[Aceofspades]

No. The point is to win and recent downturn aside they have a good chance to this year. Ek is a clear upgrade over White or whatever 12th forward. Great move. Go for the win.

I was of your opinion and was happy for the Hanzal trade first, I have regrets on this going for it attitude, this teams does not seems to want it.

 

[Minnesota]

I would not trust Chuck Fletcher to hold onto a 20 dollar bill for me.

I hope this gamble works out, I like the player a lot, but it puts a lot of pressure on the payroll a couple of years down the road when the return is not likely to be worth it.

I agree with this. I don't think Eriksson-Ek is a significant upgrade over our current bottom-6 (before everyone jumps on this; I don't think it's because Ek is bad, I think it's because he'll need to overcome the learning curve before he becomes an impact NHL'er).

Burning a year of his ELC today doesn't justify the contract pinch we'll be in down the road. Eriksson-Ek isn't the difference-maker that pushes the Wild into Cup contender status - Not yet. Give him 2-3 years of experience and we'll see what his true potential ends up being. However, burning a year of that ELC gives us 1 less year to judge his potential ceiling. Fletcher will have less to go on when it comes to contract negotiations. More potential to make a mistake when offering him a contract.

 

[theButton]

​

I was of your opinion and was happy for the Hanzal trade first, I have regrets on this going for it attitude, this teams does not seems to want it.

Too early to say imo

 

[Nharris31]

He played in a league with men you guys. He is not coming up from juniors or College hockey.