Joel Eriksson Ek is the central force of the Minnesota Wild. You cannot imagine anyone else having the same impact that he does within the same system created by Dean Evason and his coaching staff. We have already spilled ink on his intense two-way play that has translated into almost becoming a Selke Trophy finalist just last season and now he is rounding out his offensive game this season, without all the glitz and glam of a newcomer in the top defensive forward in the league conversation.
Well, maybe don’t read too much about how good he is because he’s injured and it doesn’t appear to be any short-term kind of thing.