The Minnesota Wild are set to face a challenging week without their top-line center, Joel Eriksson Ek. General Manager Bill Guerin announced that Eriksson Ek is expected to miss three games due to a lower-body injury.
This comes after the center played in the Wild's recent 4-2 defeat to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The exact moment of the injury remains unclear.
At 29, Eriksson Ek has been a pivotal player for Minnesota, tallying 17 goals and 27 assists for a total of 44 points over 62 games this season. It's worth noting that he previously missed six games in January with a similar issue.
Drafted 20th overall by the Wild in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Eriksson Ek made his NHL debut in the 2016-17 season, contributing seven points in 15 games. By the following season, he had solidified his place in the lineup, registering 16 points in 75 games. Known for his defensive prowess, Eriksson Ek has progressively sharpened his offensive skills, culminating in a standout 2023-24 season where he scored 30 goals and added 34 assists, amassing 64 points in 77 games.
Following the trade of center Marco Rossi to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for defenseman Quinn Hughes, Eriksson Ek emerged as Minnesota's definitive number-one center. He also played a key role for Sweden in the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, contributing two points in five games.
Currently, the Wild hold third place in both the Central Division and the Western Conference with 88 points from 68 games. However, they are in a bit of a slump, having dropped their last three games. Eriksson Ek's absence will undoubtedly test the team's resilience as they aim to regain their winning form.