The Minnesota Wild are no strangers to adversity this season, and once again, they’re staring down a serious challenge. Just as the team was packing up for a road trip to Buffalo, they got hit with some tough news: forwards Joel Eriksson Ek and Matt Boldy have both been placed on injured reserve.
That’s a major blow to a team already trying to claw its way out of a slump. The Wild were already missing key pieces on the blue line in Zach Bogosian and Jonas Brodin.
Now, they’re down two of their most important offensive drivers as well. If Minnesota is going to stay in the playoff hunt, they’ll need to dig deep - again - and find production from elsewhere in the lineup.
Boldy and Eriksson Ek: Cornerstones of the Offense
Let’s start with Boldy. While Kirill Kaprizov has been the headline act for the Wild all season, Boldy’s been right there with him, putting together one of the strongest campaigns of his young career.
Before the injury, he was just a point behind Kaprizov - and had actually outscored him in goals. That tells you everything you need to know about how vital he’s been to Minnesota’s attack.
Boldy’s not just finishing plays - he’s creating them, too. He’s been assertive with the puck, taking control in key moments instead of defaulting to the pass.
That confidence has translated into real results, and the Wild have leaned on him more and more as the season has progressed. On top of that, he’s no slouch defensively - 32 hits and 32 blocked shots show he’s been putting in the work at both ends of the ice.
Then there’s Eriksson Ek, the kind of player every coach loves to have. He’s one of the league’s most reliable two-way centers - the guy who does the dirty work and rarely gets the spotlight.
His offensive numbers - 11 goals and 21 assists - are solid, but it’s his defensive presence that really sets him apart. With 68 hits and 19 blocked shots, he’s been a physical, steadying force up the middle.
And a lot of what he does doesn’t show up on the scoresheet - positioning, board battles, net-front presence. Those little things matter, especially in tight games.
Leadership Without Letters
Neither Boldy nor Eriksson Ek wears a letter on their jersey full-time, but make no mistake - these guys lead. Eriksson Ek often steps into an alternate captain role when needed, and his work ethic on both sides of the puck sets the tone for the rest of the roster. He’s the kind of player teammates follow because of how hard he plays, not because he’s the loudest voice in the room.
And the Wild will miss that. Especially Eriksson Ek’s net-front work - his ability to screen goalies, deflect shots, and create chaos in the crease. That’s been a big part of Minnesota’s offensive formula this season, and without it, someone else is going to have to take that role.
Boldy, meanwhile, has grown into a more assertive player this year. He’s not waiting for plays to develop - he’s making them happen.
That kind of initiative is contagious, and it’s a big reason why the Wild have been able to generate offense even when other parts of the lineup have gone cold. With him out, the team loses not just goals, but a spark plug - someone who’s been driving momentum shift after shift.
Who Needs to Step Up?
This isn’t the first time the Wild have had to patch holes in the lineup this season. In fact, they’ve barely had a stretch of more than a week or two without someone key going down. But this latest wave of injuries is going to test their depth in a big way.
If the Wild want to stay afloat, they’re going to need more from their core. That means Kaprizov has to keep doing what he does - and then some.
Mats Zuccarello, Marcus Johansson, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Ryan Hartman are all going to be asked to shoulder more of the scoring load. Each has had their moments this season, but now consistency becomes critical.
And let’s not forget the blue line. While Quinn Hughes and Brock Faber aren’t typically counted on for big offensive numbers, any production they can add right now would be huge. With so much firepower on the shelf, every contribution matters - whether it’s a timely goal, a strong breakout pass, or just keeping the puck in the zone on the power play.
Tough Stretch Ahead
The schedule isn’t doing Minnesota any favors, either. Over the next week, they’ll face the Buffalo Sabres, Montréal Canadiens, and Detroit Red Wings - three teams that can make you pay if you’re not sharp. The Wild have struggled to find the back of the net lately, and with Boldy and Eriksson Ek out, that task gets even tougher.
But this is where depth and culture show up. The Wild have built a team that prides itself on grit and resilience.
They’ve weathered storms before. Now, they’ll need to do it again - and hope that some of their key players can step up and carry the load until their injured stars return.
Bottom line: if Minnesota wants to stay in the playoff picture, it’s going to take more than just surviving this stretch. They’ll need to find ways to win - and that means someone, or better yet, several someones, rising to the occasion.