Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Intends to be ready for camp
Rotowire
Eriksson Ek plans to be ready for training camp in the fall after trying to play through a broken fibula during the postseason, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.
Eriksson Ek was injured April 6 against Pittsburgh and logged only one shift in the playoffs during Minnesota's first-round series loss to Dallas. He attempted to play through the injury before opting for surgery. Eriksson Ek produced 23 goals and a career-high 61 points in 78 games during the regular season in 2022-23.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Won't return Friday
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Eriksson Ek (lower body) will miss Game 6 against Dallas on Friday, per Michael Russo of The Athletic.
Eriksson Ek was also unavailable for the Wild's previous two contests because of the injury. He had 23 goals and 61 points in 78 outings during the regular season. When Eriksson Ek's ready to return, he'll likely serve in a top-six capacity and see time on the power play.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Remains out for Game 5
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Eriksson Ek (lower body) won't play in Tuesday's Game 5 versus the Stars, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Eriksson Ek wasn't skating as of Monday, so it's no surprise he's out of the lineup again. Game 6 is scheduled for Friday, which gives Eriksson Ek an extra day between contests, though it's unclear if that'll be enough time for him to be ready to play again.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Questionable for Game 5
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Eriksson Ek (lower body) hasn't resumed skating yet and is still being evaluated, Jessi Pierce of NHL.com reports.
Eriksson Ek sat out Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Stars in Game 4 after logging just one shift in Game 3 on Friday. It still hasn't been determined yet if he will accompany the Wild to Dallas for Tuesday's Game 5 matchup. If Eriksson Ek remains unavailable, Sam Steel could center the second line again.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Unavailable Sunday
Rotowire
Eriksson Ek (undisclosed) will not play Sunday against the Stars, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
Eriksson Ek was on the ice for just one shift during Game 3 on Friday and there's been no update on his status. That was his first game back after a six-game absence. Sam Steel or Oskar Sundqvist will likely draw into the lineup in Eriksson Ek's absence.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Being evaluated
Rotowire
Eriksson Ek (undisclosed) is still being evaluated after leaving Friday's 5-1 win over Dallas early, Sarah McLellan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Eriksson Ek lasted only one shift prior to exiting Game 3. It was his first appearance since April 6 due to a leg injury, so it wouldn't be a surprise if he aggravated the issue. The Wild expect to know more about Eriksson Ek's status prior to Game 4 on Sunday.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Leaves with injury
Rotowire
Eriksson Ek (undisclosed) left Friday's game against Dallas and did not return, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.
After returning from a six-game absence, Eriksson Ek took just one shift before exiting Friday's contest. The injury is likely related to the lower-body issue that cost him time already. An update on his status should be available before Game 4 on Sunday.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Set to return Friday
Rotowire
Eriksson Ek (lower body) is slated to return to the lineup Friday versus Dallas, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
Eriksson Ek missed six consecutive contests because of the injury. He had 23 goals and 61 points in 78 outings in 2022-23. Now that he's back, Eriksson Ek should serve in a top-six role and receive time on the power play.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Skating on his own Friday
Rotowire
Eriksson Ek (lower body) skated on his own before practice Friday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
Eriksson Ek has missed the last six games, including Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs versus Dallas. Eriksson Ek had 23 goals and 61 points in 78 games this season, and he was very good in his last 11 games, scoring once and adding 11 helpers. Consider him day-to-day at this time.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Unavailable for Game 2
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Eriksson Ek (lower body) is not in the lineup for Wednesday's Game 2 versus the Stars, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.
Eriksson Ek will miss his sixth straight game with the injury. With Ryan Hartman (lower body) also out, Matthew Boldy will move to center and Oskar Sundqvist (lower body) will rejoin the lineup.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Not playing Monday
Rotowire
Eriksson Ek (lower body) will not be available for Game 1 against Dallas on Monday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
Eriksson Ek is traveling with the team, but he missed the final four games of the regular season. He tallied 61 points in 78 games, including 12 over his last 11 appearances. For now, he'll be considered questionable for Game 2 on Wednesday.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Will travel with team
Rotowire
Eriksson Ek (lower body) will accompany the Wild to Dallas for the start of the team's first-round playoff series, Jessi Pierce of NHL.com reports.
Eriksson Ek, who skated on his own Saturday and Sunday, hasn't been ruled out for a potential return to the lineup in Monday's series opener. He missed the final four games of the regular season.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: No closer to skating
Rotowire
Eriksson Ek (lower body) is working out off-ice but is no closer to suiting up, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports Thursday.
At this point, Eriksson Ek almost certainly will miss the start of the postseason and may be worse off than his original week-to-week timeline. The Swedish center has already missed three games due to his lower-body injury. Prior to his absence, Eriksson Ek was mired in a 10-game goal drought but has chipped in nine helpers over that stretch.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Out week-to-week
Rotowire
Eriksson Ek is week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
Eriksson Ek suffered the injury in the second period Thursday while blocking a shot. He is expected to miss the rest of the regular season, and the start of the playoffs are in doubt at this time. Eriksson Ek has 23 goals and 61 points in 78 games this season.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Injured on shot block
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Eriksson Ek (lower body) won't finish Thursday's game versus the Penguins.
Eriksson Ek was hurt blocking a shot in the second period. He should be considered day-to-day prior to Saturday's game versus the Blues.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Reaches 60-point mark
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Eriksson Ek logged an assist, four shots on goal, four hits and two PIM in Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Golden Knights.
Eriksson Ek has served as a playmaker to Matthew Boldy's finisher over the last few weeks. In his last nine contests, Eriksson Ek has racked up a goal and 10 helpers. The 26-year-old center secured the first 60-point campaign of his career Saturday -- he's at 23 goals, 37 helpers, 244 shots on net, 117 hits, 40 PIM and a plus-5 rating through 76 appearances.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Dishes assist in win
Rotowire
Eriksson Ek recorded an assist, four shots on goal, two hits, two PIM and a plus-3 rating in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Avalanche.
Eriksson Ek was productive in a variety of ways. Most notably, he set up Marcus Johansson on the opening tally early in the first period. Eriksson Ek has been a strong playmaker lately with a goal and nine assists over his last eight games. For the season, the 26-year-old center has a career-high 59 points with 240 shots on net, 113 hits, 51 blocked shots, 38 PIM and a plus-5 rating through 75 appearances.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Has two-point game
Rotowire
Eriksson Ek registered two assists in a 5-1 win over Seattle on Monday.
Eriksson Ek is going through a productive stretch, providing a goal and nine points over his last seven outings. That gives him 23 goals and 58 points in 74 contests this season. Eriksson Ek has already comfortably beaten his previous career high of 49 points, and he still might reach his personal best of 26 markers.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Two points in win
Rotowire
Eriksson Ek scored a goal on seven shots, dished an assist, added three hits and went plus-2 in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Flames.
Eriksson Ek converted on a double-deflection of a Matthew Boldy shot in the first period. The two linked up again in the third, with Eriksson Ek forcing a turnover and setting up Boldy on the Wild's third goal. This was Eriksson Ek's first multi-point effort since Jan. 24, and his first goal since Feb. 15. The center is up to 22 tallies, 49 points, 193 shots on net, 83 hits, 48 blocked shots, 32 PIM and a minus-7 rating through 63 appearances.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Supplies power-play goal Wednesday
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Eriksson Ek netted a goal in a 3-2 loss to Colorado on Wednesday.
Eriksson Ek scored at 7:09 of the second period while the Wild had the man advantage. He has 21 goals and 45 points in 54 games, including 20 power-play points. Eriksson Ek has been held off the scoresheet only once over his last seven contests.
