Joel Eriksson Ek

In the first of a new eight-year, $7 million AAV contract which seemed like an overpay at the time, Eriksson Ek rewarded Minnesota's faith in him by posting new high-water marks in both goals (26) and points (49). His 223 shots on goal were nearly 100 more than he had in any prior year, while Eriksson Ek saw a massive bump in power-play usage, averaging 2:59 per game after seeing just 1:11 worth of time per contest in 2020-21. Eriksson Ek probably isn't a top-six offensive talent on a true Stanley Cup contender, but a good portion of fantasy value is determined by a player's usage and the Wild are clearly infatuated with their 2015 first-rounder. A repeat performance from Eriksson Ek is well within the range of potential outcomes.

Eriksson Ek was drafted 20th overall in 2015 as a defensive-minded center. He filled that role over the course of his first three NHL seasons, never scoring more than eight goals. That number jumped to 20 tallies in 2020-21 and the Wild, clearly believing in what they saw, responded by giving Eriksson Ek a new eight-year, $42 million extension. It's a risky proposition given Eriksson Ek shooting percentage was 16.0 a year ago. His best number in that department in his first three years was just 7.8 percent. On a positive note, Eriksson Ek's power-play production should rebound this coming year. He saw 1:11 worth of time with the man advantage per game this past season, posting no goals and two assists. All told, the 24-year-old Swede makes for a depth option in fantasy pools, with a slight bump in leagues that value hits.

Eriksson Ek took a leap forward in 2019-20, doubling his previous year's scoring output from 14 to 29 points. The Swede also added 93 hits, 102 shots on goal and a plus-7 rating in 62 contests last season. Last season's performance represented the first time Eriksson Ek has been able to show why the Wild were willing to invest the 20th overall pick to acquire him in 2015. A larger role -- 15:43 per game compared to 13:30 the year before -- contributed to Eriksson Ek's improvement. Heading into 2020-21, the expectation is he'll be able to maintain a top-six role, which should enable him to approach a 30-point pace. His all-situations usage and solid physical game make Eriksson Ek a useful depth option for fantasy managers.

The 20th-overall pick from 2015 didn't play produce much last year, putting up seven goals and 14 points in 59 games, but he still showed the two-way game that makes him the future up the middle for the Wild. Eriksson Ek is a smooth skater, and if he continues to develop his vision and passing skills, he should become an effective distributor on a roster that maintains a solid set of scoring wingers on the roster. As of now, the Swede still sits behind veterans Mikko Koivu and Eric Staal -- who are 36 and 34, respectively -- on the depth chart, but he could creep his way into the top-six sooner rather than later.

In his first full North American campaign, Eriksson Ek didn't come close to the scoring pace he set in his initial crack at the NHL in 2016-17, but he still showed the two-way game that makes him the future up the middle for the Wild. The 20th overall pick in the 2015 draft is smooth in all three zones, and his vision and passing skills should quickly make him a very effective distributor on a roster littered with snipers on the wings. With Eric Staal in the final year of his contract and Mikko Koivu on the wrong side of 30, the 21-year-old should find himself in a top-six role by next season, but an early audition in 2018-19 isn't out of the question.

Eriksson Ek was claimed by the Wild with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2015 draft, and it's starting to look like he's ready to make a major NHL impact. He started the season in his native Sweden and ended it in Minnesota, where he seemed to have no problem making the necessary adjustments. After all, he managed to pick up seven points in 15 games despite averaging a mere 10:37 of ice time and seeing essentially zero power-play opportunities. Just 20 years old, Eriksson Ek is already a well-rounded two-way pivot who enters the 2017-18 season penciled in as the Wild’s No. 3 center. The presences of Mikko Koivu and Eric Staal ahead of him on the depth chart may limit his short-term upside in fantasy, but if extra playing time opens up as the season progresses, Eriksson Ek will be well positioned to take advantage.

Eriksson-Ek, the 20th overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft, will play in Sweden this season. When he does come to North America, he'll be a top prospect as he's shown strong overall skills. He had 21 goals in 25 games with Farjestad BK's junior squad last season, showing off his good hands and ability to peel out of possession and find seams to the net. He's a smart and competitive player who already plays a 200-foot game. And he has the ability to adapt his game to fit any style. That versatility is incredibly valuable. All Eriksson-Ek needs to do is add muscle and strength, and learn to battle against men. And when he does, he'll find his way to the NHL as a second-line, two-way pivot, not unlike Derick Brassard.