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

[DigitalBoldy]

haula was a 7th rnd pick (i think) , JEE was a mid 1st pick so there should be higher expectations. 2 of his 6G have been empty netters i believe.

Haula didn't score over 10 goals in an NHL season until he was 24. Eriksson Ek just turned 21 in January and has shown the ability to dominate physically in the NHL. The rest will come with time, opportunity and better linemates.

 

[Bazeek]

just asking / debating should we have picked him so high in the draft?

It's a fair question, but I think Boeser is the only one that was still on the board that I really regret passing on. Konecny's also done very well in the NHL, but I think it's been mostly at wing? I'd still take Ek over him, but I can see the argument the other way there.

This feels a little like the Dumba pick to me. Very positive initially, but over time it was hard to not look at Trouba and Lindholm and think "if only..." But 6 years later I think that pick's worked out great, and Dumba arguably fits our team's needs better than the other two. I suspect Ek might work out similarly in the long run.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

He'll probably never score as much as Boeser, but his ceiling has always been, IMO, 60ish points with great defense, and that'll be a great pick at #20.

We'll find out in 4 or 5 years.

 

[thestonedkoala]

just asking / debating should we have picked him so high in the draft?

Absolutely. I'd wanted Colin White, but meh.

A very competitive center who uses his size, skill, and skating to power to the net and create scoring chances. Possesses an elite-level shot, great vision, and slick puckhandling skills; as a result, it's no surprise that he has a natural knack for scoring big goals. Offensive catalyst, but also defensively responsible. Plays a creative, 200-foot game. All-in-all, an intelligent, scoring center that is productive at both ends of the ice. (Curtis Joe, EP 2014)

That is his profile on Eliteprospects: Joel Eriksson Ek

He's a big bodied center, that can take over for Koivu when and if he retires. He's the defensively responsible player that Minnesota craves.

Besides, everyone knows that Minnesota is one of the better drafting teams and they have the best scouts. When have they been wrong?

 

[BagHead]

All teams are wrong sometimes, but if we're talking first rounders? They were wrong on Zack Phillips. That's the only one since 2008 that they've definitely missed on. Every single 1st rounder that they've picked except Phillips has played in the NHL. That's 7/8. Not too bad in that round, which I would argue is the most important round to be good at. I'd like to see them improve in the 2nd and 3rd rounds (though, they actually have to keep those picks for it to matter), but all in all, it's not a bad track record.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

All teams are wrong sometimes, but if we're talking first rounders? They were wrong on Zack Phillips. That's the only one since 2008 that they've definitely missed on. Every single 1st rounder that they've picked except Phillips has played in the NHL. That's 7/8. Not too bad in that round, which I would argue is the most important round to be good at. I'd like to see them improve in the 2nd and 3rd rounds (though, they actually have to keep those picks for it to matter), but all in all, it's not a bad track record.

It's a terrible track record when you expect them to pull stars out of the 4th, 5th or 6th round every year, like some people do.

 

[DANOZ28]

im not going to debate every pick however IF JEE does not develop into atleast a #2C in the near future then i think drafting him #20 (in a strong draft) will be a miss. just my one cent.

 

[a79krgm]

His slow development so far is good insurance that Koivu won't retire prematurely.

 

[Saga of the Elk]

His development is coming along fine. In a redraft, he goes five-ten spots higher - I'd call that a very good pick. Imagine being an Arizona fan!

 

[57special]

im not going to debate every pick however IF JEE does not develop into atleast a #2C in the near future then i think drafting him #20 (in a strong draft) will be a miss. just my one cent.

I think you have overly high expectations of #20 picks. Players chosen #20 oa 20 years before Ek(the ones afterwards are still unwritten books);

Schmaltz
Mantha
Murphy (Connor)
Bennett(Beau)
Josefson
MDZ
Esposito
Fisher(David)
McArdle
Zajac
Burns
Paille
Goc
Frolov
Heisten
Parker
Brown
Nilson
Wilkie


Burns aside, not exactly an inspiring bunch, and even he took years to develop. Going further back it's a whole lot of WHO? except for Brodeur.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

His development is coming along fine. In a redraft, he goes five-ten spots higher - I'd call that a very good pick. Imagine being an Arizona fan!

I could see 5, but 10 spots puts him ahead of guys like Aho, Konecny, Chabot, Debrusk, which I'm not too sure.

 

[BagHead]

It's a terrible track record when you expect them to pull stars out of the 4th, 5th or 6th round every year, like some people do.

I don't count myself among that number. Things you pull from the 4th and beyond are bonuses, IMO.

 

[thestonedkoala]

It's a terrible track record when you expect them to pull stars out of the 4th, 5th or 6th round every year, like some people do.

Who's saying every year? But it would be nice to at least have one develop into a solid depth player once in a while.

 

[Nino Noderreiter]

Ek has struggled to produce offensively obviously, but I think his overall skillset and plus shot should mean that some points will come in the future. It's hard to produce consistently offensively in a smaller checking line role as a Center surrounded by 4th line caliber linemates. I'm impressed by his ability to play solidly defensively and his feel for that side of the game at 21. He's been able to contribute positively despite the lack of offense. Does need to work on faceoffs though.

Role and linemates do matter. We've seen it with so many players. Ek's role partially plays a factor in these totals to some extent. Bad puck luck also plays a factor.

Next season, a potential 3rd line role, better linemates, a more offensive role, and regression to the mean with the bad puck luck should make those numbers look better to a decent degree. Not sure exactly what that looks like but I'm not worried about Ek yet.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Ek has struggled to produce offensively obviously, but I think his overall skillset and plus shot should mean that some points will come in the future. It's hard to produce consistently offensively in a smaller checking line role as a Center surrounded by 4th line caliber linemates. I'm impressed by his ability to play solidly defensively and his feel for that side of the game at 21. He's been able to contribute positively despite the lack of offense. Does need to work on faceoffs though.

Role and linemates do matter. We've seen it with so many players. Ek's role partially plays a factor in these totals to some extent. Bad puck luck also plays a factor.

Next season, a potential 3rd line role, better linemates, a more offensive role, and regression to the mean with the bad puck luck should make those numbers look better to a decent degree. Not sure exactly what that looks like but I'm not worried about Ek yet.

I'd put him with Parise and Coyle to start the year next year.

 

[57special]

I'd put him with Parise and Coyle to start the year next year.

But who's the passer?

The Wild have gone from being a pass first team a few years ago to a shoot first team. Granlund is the only legit playmaker...maybe Koivu....besides maybe, Suter. Parise isn't a good passer, and I think Ek is more suited to being a shooter. I think Nino is actually a better passer than Parise, certainly, and maybe Coyle, though the numbers don't bear that out.

I do think that Ek has to be given a looksee further up the line up. Fro now, the most important thing for his development is that he has found out that he can contribute in a meaningful way in the NHL . So what, if it's on the 4th line. He can build on that.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

But who's the passer?

The Wild have gone from being a pass first team a few years ago to a shoot first team. Granlund is the only legit playmaker...maybe Koivu....besides maybe, Suter. Parise isn't a good passer, and I think Ek is more suited to being a shooter. I think Nino is actually a better passer than Parise, certainly, and maybe Coyle, though the numbers don't bear that out.

I do think that Ek has to be given a looksee further up the line up. Fro now, the most important thing for his development is that he has found out that he can contribute in a meaningful way in the NHL . So what, if it's on the 4th line. He can build on that.

Coyle.

 

[BagHead]

Coyle.

Coyle reminds me of Koivu in that he's a playmaker stuffed into a power forward's body. Frustrating as heck, that is.

 

[57special]

I like Coyle, but he's nowhere near the player Koivu is/was. He was a great player in his mid 20's, but hampered by some really untalented linemates.

 

[BagHead]

I like Coyle, but he's nowhere near the player Koivu is/was. He was a great player in his mid 20's, but hampered by some really untalented linemates.

I hope I didn't imply that he is. He merely reminds me of the style of player, big, powerful, and passive with shooting.

 

[57special]

Coyle actually has a pretty good shot....I think.

 

[63firebird]

Coyle actually has a pretty good shot....I think.

Coyle can’t hit the broad side of a barn lately. I’ve never seen him throw a decent hit and his hands are like lead. He did net a couple of nice goals but then he completely disappears. To me, he’s the one player that hasn’t seem to be able to turn it up a notch. That said, solid defensive play is important also.

 

[Wild11MN]

Coyle can’t hit the broad side of a barn lately. I’ve never seen him throw a decent hit and his hands are like lead. He did net a couple of nice goals but then he completely disappears. To me, he’s the one player that hasn’t seem to be able to turn it up a notch. That said, solid defensive play is important also.

It's funny how that's the narrative (bolded), and frankly, true the majority of the time. And then a few times a year he pulls off this ridiculous move that makes him look like a wizard.

 

[2Pair]

It's funny how that's the narrative (bolded), and frankly, true the majority of the time. And then a few times a year he pulls off this ridiculous move that makes him look like a wizard.

Coyle has fantastic hands

 

[Wild11MN]

Coyle has fantastic hands

Sometimes. Clearly he has the ability, we just don't see it very often.

Edit: Sorry, just realized this was the JEE thread. I'll stop with the off-topic here.