The Minnesota Wild are getting a major piece of their lineup back - and just in time. Center Joel Eriksson Ek has been activated off injured reserve and is expected to suit up for Thursday’s home tilt against the Detroit Red Wings.
To clear a roster spot, the Wild have sent forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel down to the AHL’s Iowa Wild.
Eriksson Ek, 28, has missed the team’s last six games after suffering a lower-body injury during Minnesota’s 3-2 overtime win against the Seattle Kraken back on January 8. Before the injury, he was having another solid campaign, tallying 11 goals and 21 assists for 32 points across 45 games. That kind of production, combined with his defensive reliability, makes him one of the most important two-way centers in the Wild’s lineup.
And this isn’t a flash-in-the-pan season for the Swedish pivot. He’s been steadily building toward this level of impact for years.
Last season, despite being limited to just 46 games, he still managed 14 goals and 15 assists - a pace that mirrored his usual consistency. But it was the 2023-24 season that truly marked his offensive breakout.
In 77 games, Eriksson Ek put up career highs across the board: 30 goals, 34 assists, and 64 points. That’s top-six center production on any team in the league.
Drafted 20th overall by Minnesota in 2015, Eriksson Ek didn’t take long to make his NHL debut. He got his first taste of the league in 2016-17, appearing in 15 games and putting up seven points.
By the next season, he was a full-time NHLer, logging 75 games in 2017-18 while continuing to hone his defensive craft. That two-way game has always been his calling card, but over time, he’s added layers to his offensive repertoire - better hands in tight, improved vision, and a knack for getting to the hard areas of the ice.
His return now gives the Wild a needed boost down the middle, especially as they look to stay competitive in a tight playoff race. Eriksson Ek’s ability to match up against top lines, win key faceoffs, and contribute on both special teams makes him a stabilizing force whenever he’s on the ice.
But it’s not just Minnesota breathing a sigh of relief. Over in Europe, the Swedish national team is also watching closely. Eriksson Ek has been named to Sweden’s roster for the upcoming Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, and with Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson likely out due to injury, Eriksson Ek could be asked to carry an even heavier load for Tre Kronor.
Whether it’s anchoring a shutdown line in St. Paul or centering Sweden’s top unit on the Olympic stage, Eriksson Ek’s return is a big deal - and both the Wild and his national team are better for it.