Watch as Isha and Dylan discuss the Minnesota Wild extending Joel Eriksson Ek to an eight-year $42 million contract. Eriksson Ek is one of the best (and only) established centers currently on the Minnesota Wild roster. Eriksson Ek is also one of the best defensive forwards in the game, recently being voted fourth in Selke Trophy voting. Eriksson Ek’s cap hit of $5.25 million is a fair value given he is one of the best defensive forwards in the NHL and provides some scoring. Eriksson Ek is coming off his best season yet, scoring 19 goals and 30 points in 56 games in the 2021 NHL shortened season.
The young Swede has a baby face that every player in the NHL wants to punch. Between whistles, Joel Eriksson Ek pisses off and frustrates opposing players, therefore throwing off their game. Whether it is something he says, or how great he is defensively, Eriksson Ek gets under the skin of his opponents and is a valuable piece of the Minnesota Wild’s core.
An eight-year deal may be hard to stomach for some Minnesota Wild Fans who are already frustrated with the long-term deals currently on the books in the case of Ryan Suter, Zach Parise, and Mats Zuccarello. Dylan and Isha’s only concern with the contract is injury. Though Mr. September is always in incredible shape, he plays a tough style of hockey and competes against his opponent’s top lines night in and night out. Eriksson Ek gets the hardest match-ups. His body may not be able to last playing the style of game he plays today for an entire eight-year span.
However, Wild General Manager Billy Guerin has full confidence in the players he is extending, further stamping his mark on this Minnesota Wild team. Guerin locked up Jared Spurgeon, Jonas Brodin (both fan favorites of the Wild and vastly underappreciated league-wide), and now his shut-down centremen, Joel Eriksson Ek. If Bill Guerin can trade for another first or second-line centreman, even if he is only a 60-70-point player, the Wild’s center position vastly improves the team, and set’s them up for further success.
Any center not named Victor Rask playing alongside Kirill Kaprizov is a massive improvement!
Acquiring another center also acts as a safety net, in case Marco Rossi and Marat Khusnutdinov do not develop into top centers (top six players). At least there is someone who can fill that position long-term in Eriksson Ek if the worst-case scenario transpires where Billy Guerin cannot acquire another centre and Rossi and Khusnutdinov don’t pan out.
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Tell us your thoughts on the Joel Eriksson Ek contract and the Minnesota Wild’s season!
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2 Comments
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Seems like a solid deal, locking up another core player with term. I would be surprised if we don't see Fiala signed fairly soon too. Any thoughts on Kaprizov? Seems like he wants a bridge deal rather than the long term deal he has been offered. Also, thoughts on Dumba? Are they going to be able to protect him? A Jets fan I know suggested a possible trade involving Dumba to the Jets for Copp plus something like a pick and a prospect