Joel Eriksson Ek

The Minnesota Wild’s third line was the earliest to earn their identity in 2021-22 and was quickly nicknamed the “GREEF” line. The first member of that line to receive their grade is the “EE” part of that name, Joel Eriksson Ek, also known as “Ekker”. As the center, he was an integral part of that line and the glue in the middle that made everything flow.

Eriksson Ek scored a goal on three shots, added an assist, logged three hits and went plus-2 in Friday's 5-1 win over the Blues in Game 3. Eriksson Ek has five points and a plus-5 rating in the last two games after the Wild were shut out in the series opener. The 25-year-old Swede had a career-best 26 goals and 49 points in 77 regular-season contests. He's seen third-line usage at even strength, but his role on the first power-play unit as a net-front option makes Eriksson Ek a solid option in DFS.

Eriksson Ek scored twice and added an assist in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Blues. Eriksson Ek opened the scoring in the first period before scoring another 51 seconds into the second. He'd add an assist later in the period on a Kirill Kaprizov power-play goal. Eriksson Ek posted a career-high 49 points in the regular season with 26 goals and 23 assists.

We’re getting down to the end of the regular season, and the Minnesota Wild can look back at the tremendous season they’ve had thus far. They’ve broken records left and right, had players emerge as stars, and general manager Bill Guerin has made great moves. Of course, Kirill Kaprizov is the lock for team MVP. The guy’s been a point-scoring machine all season. But who gets the vote for stealth MVP? The one who’s had a great season but often gets overlooked?

Eriksson Ek recorded a goal and an assist in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Coyotes. Eriksson Ek has been on a tear of late with eight points (five goals, three assists) in his last three contests after going scoreless in his previous seven. The 25-year-old center has been streaky, though he's had a breakout season offensively with 26 goals and 23 assists. Eriksson Ek will have two more games to reach the 50-point threshold.

Eriksson Ek scored twice on five shots, dished an assist and added two hits in Sunday's 5-4 overtime win over the Predators. The latter of Eriksson Ek's tallies came on the power play. He also set up Dmitry Kulikov for a breakaway to win it in the dying seconds of overtime. Eriksson Ek was recently mired in a seven-game point drought, but he's racked up four goals and two assists in his last two outings to snap out of the slump. The Swede is at 25 tallies, 47 points, 213 shots on net, 134 hits and a plus-15 rating through 74 games.

Eriksson Ek scored two goals and added an assist in Friday's 6-3 win over Seattle. Eriksson Ek snapped a seven-game scoring drought with a big game Friday, with a pair of his points coming on the power play. Despite his recent slump, the 25-year-old center has a career-high 44 points with 23 goals and 21 assists.

Eriksson Ek recorded an assist, three shots on goal and three hits in Friday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Blues. Eriksson Ek won a faceoff back to Jared Spurgeon, who then set up Jacob Middleton's third-period tally. In his last nine games, Eriksson Ek has rediscovered his touch on offense with three tallies and six helpers. The 25-year-old Swede has enjoyed a breakout season with 41 points, 189 shots on net, 124 hits and a plus-15 rating through 65 appearances.

Eriksson Ek scored twice and added an assist in Sunday's 5-1 win over the Capitals. Eriksson Ek set the tone early, scoring 36 seconds into the game. He also struck again in the second period and helped out on Marcus Foligno's third-period marker. This effort gave Eriksson Ek a career-high 21 goals and put him at the 40-point mark in 63 appearances this season. The 25-year-old center has added 183 shots on net, a plus-16 rating and 118 hits in a top-six role.

Eriksson Ek notched a pair of assists, including one on the power play, in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Flyers. Eriksson Ek helped out on goals by Kirill Kaprizov and Jordan Greenway. This was Eriksson Ek's third straight game with a power-play point, and he's picked up a goal and four helpers in his last four outings. The 25-year-old center has 37 points, 175 shots on net, 115 hits and a plus-13 rating in 60 appearances as he continues to grow his career-best output.