NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Joel Eriksson Ek

Get to Know Joel Eriksson EK

Date of Birth: 1-29-97
Place of Birth: Karlstad, SWE
Ht: 6’2” Wt: 183 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Center
Team: Färjestad (SHL) / Färjestad J20 (SuperElit)

Statistics

What Scouts See

Elite Prospects:

A very competitive center who uses his size, skill, and skating to power to the net and create scoring chances. Possesses an elite-level shot, great vision, and slick puckhandling skills; as a result, it’s no surprise that he has a natural knack for scoring big goals. Offensive catalyst, but also defensively responsible. Plays a creative, 200-foot game. All-in-all, an intelligent, scoring center that is productive at both ends of the ice.

Director of European Scouting, Goran Stubb:

He is a very competitive, powerful center with great speed, a good strong shot and excellent puck-handling. He is creative on the offense while reliable on defense. Likes to go to the net to create scoring chances.

Last Word on Sports:

After some extremely impressive performance in the second half of the year, including being amongst the best players on the ice at this year’s Five Nations Tournament, Joel Eriksson-Ek is rocketing up NHL draft boards. The Swedish centre, who has been playing against men in the SHL for Farjestads this season, has opened a number of eyes and he has gone from a late second round/early third round pick all the way into a first round grade. While he only has 4 goals and 6 points in 34 games at the SHL level, he has dominated with Farjestad’s J20 team with 32 points in 25 games. Eriksson-Ek is now playing in this year’s IIHF U18 World Championships and has already put up 4 goals and 5 points in just 3 games for Sweden. He also put up 3 goals and 4 points in last summer’s Ivan Hlinka.

Future Considerations:

. . . .another strong 200-foot player out of the Swedish system. He skates extremely well and has a competitive streak that keeps him always hunting to make an impact. Very skilled offensively and likes to drive the play to the net. Has some flashy puck handling skills he can bust out if necessary to turn opponents inside out. Has a long reach and can change the angle on an opponent in order to sneak around him. Sees the ice very well and gets to prime real estate to receive pucks or make a big play…He has a great shot release that is quick and deceptive. Drives the net for rebounds and second chances…Can crush, and devastate with his checks when he wants to. Drops down low in the defensive zone to help out and finish checks, not allowing his opponents any room to make a play. Shows excellent puck protection using his large frame and strength to fight off checks while being strong on the puck. Completes pinpoint passes that lead his man on the rush…The one area he needs to continue to focus on the most is adding some muscle to his lower body…He also needs to work on smoothing out his stride as it can be a little choppy and we still want to see him finish his checks harder.

Highlights

NHL Potential

Eriksson has the potential to step into the NHL as soon as next season. He has all of the tools and is dominating at the Swedish juniors level already. While he’ll never be an elite scoring center, he will bring an impressive two-way game that is both offensively potent and defensively responsible.

Expected Draft Position

This Euro prospect has to be on everyone’s list as a potential draft pick as he’s well-rounded with few weaknesses. It’s doubtful he makes it out of the first round.

How Joel Eriksson Ek Fits in Avalanche Organization

If the Avalanche trade O’Reilly before the draft, this is a guy they should seriously consider taking with that first round pick. He’s one of the most defensively-honed forwards on the draft list and brings a physical game the Avs could use. With Duchene and MacKinnon centering a high-flying, offense-first top-six, Eriksson could come in as that third line center with a trio that can both score and punish. The Avs would truly have one of the most dangerous top nine crews in the NHL by adding Eriksson to the mix.