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

[Wabit]

I wanted JEE to build off of his Playoff performance to end last season when the season started. Last night was one of the few games, so far this year, I've seen that quality of play. He already has a solid d-zone game, or at least did last season. It's the o-zone where he gets in trouble.

He needs to play a simple o-zone game: heavy forecheck, go to the net, don't play with the puck too much, make the easy open passes, shoot the puck, etc. He hasn't mastered those skills enough at the NHL level to try the cute things; which get him into trouble now. I really do think the game looks to fast for him because he doesn't have that good foundation of simple o-zone play.

He might just need to stop (over)thinking and just play hockey for awhile.

 

[EXTRAS]

If you guys had to choose between eek and greenway, who would you keep.

The other player vanishes from existence.

 

[2Pair]

If you guys had to choose between eek and greenway, who would you keep.

The other player vanishes from existence.

Thats not a choice at all at this point.

 

[57special]

Greenway, right now.

 

[Minnesota]

If you guys had to choose between eek and greenway, who would you keep.

The other player vanishes from existence.

Greenway, pretty easily.

I think an AHL call-up like Anas could honestly be contributing more than JEE right now.

 

[57special]

I think Anas would get manhandled in the NHL. Ek does the right things, but just isn't producing points.

 

[THE JAM]

I think Anas would get manhandled in the NHL. Ek does the right things, but just isn't producing points.

Perhaps it's time to see if someone could be more productive while doing the right things as well

(I agree that probably should start with someone else, not Anas)

 

[THE JAM]

(but - as suggested before, just consider the trade E Ek / Markus Granlund)

 

[57special]

not a chance

 

[2Pair]

(but - as suggested before, just consider the trade E Ek / Markus Granlund)

Where does Granlund play in this lineup?

 

[THE JAM]

Where does Granlund play in this lineup?

yeah, it is a problem - just as it is right now with where you should put E Ek / AHL ?

imho in that case Ma Gran would be a JT Brown upgrade as a start - and then, depending on injuries and illnesses and pregnancies, he will soon get a few looks to play higher up, then needs to prove that he is capable to do that also on the Wild

- we know BB loves to shuffle the lines and perhaps, e g if the Wild is down two-three goals ever again, BB puts him up to play with Mi Gran and let us see what happens then

 

[Wabit]

The other Granlund is a guy you spend a 3rd/4th rounder to get, not JEE.

 

[2Pair]

yeah, it is a problem - just as it is right now with where you put E Ek

imho in that case Ma Gran would be a JT Brown upgrade as a start - and then, depending on injuries and illnesses and pregnancies, he will soon get a few looks to play higher up, then needs to prove

- we know the coach loves to shuffle and perhaps, if the Wild is down two goals ever again, the coach puts him up to play with Mi Gran and let us see what happens

What sense does it make to trade a 3rd liner to upgrade the 4th line?

 

[THE JAM]

What sense does it make to trade a 3rd liner to upgrade the 4th line?

brothers - extra chemistry (might work or not but why not give it a chance if eriksson ek does not fit anyway?)

 

[THE JAM]

What sense does it make to trade a 3rd liner to upgrade the 4th line?

Not sure I get your point, in your opinion E Ek is a 3rd liner?
- perhaps he would/could be on a really bad team

(- imho Minnesota Wild is not that bad and actually showing signs of being capable to go pretty far)

 

[2Pair]

brothers - extra chemistry (might work or not but why not give it a chance if eriksson ek does not fit anyway?)

What happens when Markus gets here and is terrible? You really want to piss Mikael off by cutting his brother?

 

[2Pair]

Not sure I get your point, in your opinion E Ek is a 3rd liner?
I think he would perhaps be on a really bad team

(- imho Minnesota is not that bad and actually showing signs of being capable to go pretty far)

Eriksson Ek is not a 3rd liner at the moment, but he's clearly the best option that they have. For now at least. You need to find a replacement 3rd liner before you consider moving one.

 

[THE JAM]

Eriksson Ek is not a 3rd liner at the moment, but he's clearly the best option that they have. For now at least. You need to find a replacement 3rd liner before you consider moving one.

.. the best option that they have... well, they have almost not had the need to bring up anyone else, so it's hard to say - the only one that has been brought up is Greenway - and he also did not click with E Ek but as soon as E Ek was ill and out of the line-up for approx a week or 10 days - Greenway found some chemistry and is now producing and playing as a legit NHLer

 

[Wabit]

.. the best option that they have... well, they have almost not had the need to bring up anyone else, so it's hard to say - the only one that has been brought up is Greenway - and he also did not click with E Ek but as soon as E Ek was ill and out of the line-up for approx a week or 10 days - Greenway found some chemistry and is now producing and playing as a legit NHLer

Or Greenway was sent to the AHL for a couple of games, scored a hat trick, and gained some confidence.

 

[2Pair]

.. the best option that they have... well, they have almost not had the need to bring up anyone else, so it's hard to say - the only one that has been brought up is Greenway - and he also did not click with E Ek but as soon as E Ek was ill and out of the line-up for approx a week or 10 days - Greenway found some chemistry and is now producing and playing as a legit NHLer

I will ask you again, if you trade Ek, what is your 3rd line?

 

[THE JAM]

OK - let's get back to it when the team is not winning and/or has several injured key players, never mind carrying a couple of passengers atm - it's hard to send him down to the AHL as long as 80-90% of the Wild are playing above expectations as they do now...

 

[THE JAM]

I will ask you again, if you trade Ek, what is your 3rd line?

Would like to see some guys from Iowa having a couple of games in the NHL before answering you, don't follow the AHL but people say there could be some Iowa players even good enough for the 3rd line..

 

[2Pair]

Would like to see some guys from AHL having a couple of games in the NHL before answering you, don't follow the AHL but people say there could be someone even good enough for the 3rd line..

If there was someone in Iowa that could do it better than Ek, He would already be doing it and Ek would be in Iowa. Fenton and Boudreau watch the same games that we do, and they have a lot more information out of Iowa than we do.

 

[Olcoach]

If there was someone in Iowa that could do it better than Ek, He would already be doing it and Ek would be in Iowa. Fenton and Boudreau watch the same games that we do, and they have a lot more information out of Iowa than we do.

I tend to agree with JAM. Time to fire up the bus from Iowa. Try out two from Iowa for the 3c position, send JEE down for a short reset. Can't be a step back from the current situation. Mr Fenton, time for a tweak.

 

[2Pair]

I tend to agree with JAM. Time to fire up the bus from Iowa. Try out two from Iowa for the 3c position, send JEE down for a short reset. Can't be a step back from the current situation. Mr Fenton, time for a tweak.

Gonna need some names?