Minnesota Wild’s defensive powerhouse Joel Eriksson Ek is locking down the NHL’s elite centers—Nathan McKinnon, Connor Bedard, and Sidney Crosby all see their expected goals plummet when matched up against him. His offense may be slower to ignite this season, but his defensive metrics and faceoff dominance are reaching career highs. Can Eriksson Ek’s shutdown ability push him into serious Selke Trophy contention?
Seth Toupal spotlights Eriksson Ek’s evolving role, analyzes line combinations with Matt Boldy and Marcus Johansson, and uncovers how improved special teams are reviving the Wild’s penalty kill. The discussion covers high-danger scoring chances, missed shot percentages, and the impact of Johansson’s offensive surge. As Minnesota braces for a pivotal clash against the Dallas Stars, questions loom about the offense finding its rhythm and Eriksson Ek cementing his legacy as the NHL’s top defensive forward.
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