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

[57special]

Eriksson Ek needs to shoot less from the sides and more from driving the net. His shot isn’t good enough to beat an unscreened goalie in the NHL.

I actually like Ek's shot, and I'm all for shooting from severe angles, as long as you hit the net. The severe angle shot is one area where the butterfly goalie is inferior to the old standup, hug the post type.

 

[Digitalbooya]

I actually like Ek's shot, and I'm all for shooting from severe angles, as long as you hit the net. The severe angle shot is one area where the butterfly goalie is inferior to the old standup, hug the post type.

I'm referencing his floater shot coming in on a 2-on-2's or the such.

 

[57special]

I'm referencing his floater shot coming in on a 2-on-2's or the such.

If they miss the net they are brutal, as they tend to go around the boards and clear the zone on the other side. If he's on the 4th line, however, shooting into the goalie from 45' away and having him cover up the puck for an O zone FO is what they are told to do. That way, BB can stick one of his top two lines out there, hoping for a FO win and scoring chance.

I'm kinda with you, though. If I'm a young forward, I'm pulling out all my mad skillz and trying to make something happen. That's how you get the big money, fast cars, and beautiful women. Forwards, and especially wings, gotta be aggressive.

 

[a79krgm]

Eriksson Ek needs to shoot less from the sides and more from driving the net. His shot isn’t good enough to beat an unscreened goalie in the NHL.

I agree. Sadly, he doesn't have the release like a Elias Pettersson. His skills seem to be evenly balanced. He needs to drive to the net more. We need to see much more of his nasty game. ​

 

[TaLoN]

Eriksson Ek needs to shoot less from the sides and more from driving the net. His shot isn’t good enough to beat an unscreened goalie in the NHL.

People used to say that about Granlund.

 

[DeagleJenkins]

Eriksson Ek needs to shoot less from the sides and more from driving the net. His shot isn’t good enough to beat an unscreened goalie in the NHL.

his shot is though, unless his shot has gotten weaker over the years.

 

[2Pair]

his shot is though, unless his shot has gotten weaker over the years.

When you have to go back more than 2 years to find a clip of Ek taking a good shot, not much else really needs to be said

 

[2Pair]

People used to say that about Granlund.

They still do

 

[Bazeek]

his shot is though, unless his shot has gotten weaker over the years.

This is the goal that stands out to me as well, but if you go back and look at all of his other goals like 90% of them are tap-ins from the doorstep. The fact that the pretty one was against Lehner doesn't install a lot of confidence either.

 

[TaLoN]

They still do

 

[DeagleJenkins]

When you have to go back more than 2 years to find a clip of Ek taking a good shot, not much else really needs to be said

So his shot magically got aweful? This was when he was given better linemates also. Playing with bottom feeders doesn't help him

 

[DeagleJenkins]

This is the goal that stands out to me as well, but if you go back and look at all of his other goals like 90% of them are tap-ins from the doorstep. The fact that the pretty one was against Lehner doesn't install a lot of confidence either.

Eventually I think he will get back to this, he just needs that confidence back and good linemates

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

So his shot magically got aweful? This was when he was given better linemates also. Playing with bottom feeders doesn't help him

He should earn better ones then.

 

[TaLoN]

Eventually I think he will get back to this, he just needs that confidence back and good linemates

To get better linemates, you need to show you deserve better linemates by creating chances with what you have.

Remember early on when it seemed Coyle was gifted better linemates and Granlund got stuck with crap? Granlund showed he deserved better linemates, and continues to show it and thus gets it. When he started the season with Staal and Zucker, but neither were playing up to par and Granlund looked to be playing on an island trying to carry the line by himself, what happened? He got moved over to a pair of linemates that were carrying their weight, and look at the result.

Ek doesn't ever seem all that dangerous even by 4th line standards right now, so why would he get better linemates yet?

 

[2Pair]

So his shot magically got aweful? This was when he was given better linemates also. Playing with bottom feeders doesn't help him

Every player in the NHL is capable of making that shot once every two years. Just like Granlund above, taking 1 great shot doesn't make you a great shooter.

 

[57special]

To get better linemates, you need to show you deserve better linemates by creating chances with what you have.

Remember early on when it seemed Coyle was gifted better linemates and Granlund got stuck with crap? Granlund showed he deserved better linemates, and continues to show it and thus gets it. When he started the season with Staal and Zucker, but neither were playing up to par and Granlund looked to be playing on an island trying to carry the line by himself, what happened? He got moved over to a pair of linemates that were carrying their weight, and look at the result.

Ek doesn't ever seem all that dangerous even by 4th line standards right now, so why would he get better linemates yet?

I thought Granlund always got the quality TOI. Zucker, Haula, and Nino were the ones who fought for time.

 

[TaLoN]

Every player in the NHL is capable of making that shot once every two years. Just like Granlund above, taking 1 great shot doesn't make you a great shooter.

2 years ago Granlund's shot wasn't good enough to do that. He's improved his shot to be at least decent.

I thought Granlund always got the quality TOI. Zucker, Haula, and Nino were the ones who fought for time.

I didn't say Granlund vs Zucker... I said Granlund vs Coyle, because it was always "What has Coyle done to find himself with Parise and Koivu?" The answer was Nothing. He always looked like a passenger with them. Just... there.

Most people were begging for Granlund to get with Parise... it took forever to happen, but once it happened, they were attached at the hip until Parise's back became an issue. Funny how the back is no longer an issue and once again, they find themselves on the same line once again.

 

[DeagleJenkins]

To get better linemates, you need to show you deserve better linemates by creating chances with what you have.

Remember early on when it seemed Coyle was gifted better linemates and Granlund got stuck with crap? Granlund showed he deserved better linemates, and continues to show it and thus gets it. When he started the season with Staal and Zucker, but neither were playing up to par and Granlund looked to be playing on an island trying to carry the line by himself, what happened? He got moved over to a pair of linemates that were carrying their weight, and look at the result.

Ek doesn't ever seem all that dangerous even by 4th line standards right now, so why would he get better linemates yet?

its a personal opinon of watching how he plays. you can see him try to do stuff and then his linemates are on a totally different page than he is. couldnt tell you why that is but it just seems as though he needs more offensive minded teammates not named coyle.

 

[DeagleJenkins]

Every player in the NHL is capable of making that shot once every two years. Just like Granlund above, taking 1 great shot doesn't make you a great shooter.

thanks captain obvious. i was stating that he already has a good shot just lacks confidence and then showed a clip of him using it when he was confident. the fact that he has that capability means its still in him to fire a lazor past the goalie no matter the goalies skill level. he can shoot the puck. does that make him ovi? no but that doesnt mean he is a terrible shooter. he is not a line driver he needs someone on his line that is offensive minded to drive the play and he will cash in. the linemates he has had dont do that so he will look as bad as coyle until then. thats my theory.

 

[TaLoN]

its a personal opinon of watching how he plays. you can see him try to do stuff and then his linemates are on a totally different page than he is. couldnt tell you why that is but it just seems as though he needs more offensive minded teammates not named coyle.

I'm not going to disagree with that, but at the same time, what has he done to deserve these better linemates than those ahead of him in the lineup?

Moves like that aren't made in a vacuum, you move one player, that means you have to move others as well.

JEE hasn't played well enough to force others to lesser linemates.

 

[DeagleJenkins]

I'm not going to disagree with that, but at the same time, what has he done to deserve these better linemates than those ahead of him in the lineup?

Moves like that aren't made in a vacuum, you move one player, that means you have to move others as well.

JEE hasn't played well enough to force others to lesser linemates.

I understand it, id be on board with make 3 equal lines vs 2 top lines and a shut down 3rd. i like the idea but having it happen is a completely different story. something like parise - ek - greenway, nino - staal - coyle, zucker - koivu - granny. just spread the wealth then when shits not working you stack the top 2 lines.

 

[TaLoN]

I understand it, id be on board with make 3 equal lines vs 2 top lines and a shut down 3rd. i like the idea but having it happen is a completely different story. something like parise - ek - greenway, nino - staal - coyle, zucker - koivu - granny. just spread the wealth then when ****s not working you stack the top 2 lines.

The problem with that, is we don't have everyone playing their best yet, so you're likely going to hurt the play of those playing well at this point more than help anyone else to make the team better.

We have only one line that has been unchanged since it was put together after game 3.... Parise - Koivu - Granlund.
That line combination has been getting the best play out of 3 of our best players, allowing the others to find their games.

You want to stop Granlund's point streak, your suggestion is a good start in that attempt.

I'd rather let the players earn their ice time and linemates like Bruce is doing.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Well, right now he has Zucker and Nino flanking him, so the linemates excuse isn't going to fly.

 

[nt3005]

Well, right now he has Zucker and Nino flanking him, so the linemates excuse isn't going to fly.

I blame Nino for EK's lack of assists.

 

[TaLoN]

I blame Nino for EK's lack of assists.

I know you're joking, but...

If Ek was setting Nino up for scoring chances and Nino just wasn't cashing-in on them, sure... we all remember that with Granlund setting up a stone cold Pominville.

We're not seeing that here though at all. JEE just doesn't look like a dangerous offensive player right now.