The Minnesota Wild will be without their key centerman Joel Eriksson Ek for Sunday’s matchup against the Winnipeg Jets as he recovers from a head injury, as reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. Eriksson Ek suffered the injury during Saturday’s game after taking an elbow to the face from Seattle’s Adam Larsson, forcing him to exit midway through the second period. Details of the injury have not been disclosed.
To adjust for Eriksson Ek’s absence, the Wild have made an emergency recall of forward Travis Boyd and reassigned goaltender Jesper Wallstedt to the AHL. Eriksson Ek’s absence is a significant blow for Minnesota, as he played a crucial role in the team’s early games. He recorded 20 minutes of ice time and a goal in the season opener, and added nearly 12 minutes of play before his injury on Saturday. His presence alongside leading scorer Matt Boldy has been pivotal, making his absence a challenge for the team.
Marco Rossi, a promising young forward, could be the one to step into Eriksson Ek’s role, competing with Ryan Hartman for the increased responsibilities. Rossi has already contributed two assists this season and could be poised for a larger role. Meanwhile, Boyd will slot into the bottom-six, bringing some scoring potential after recording two points in the AHL Iowa Wild’s season opener. Boyd is looking to regain the form he showed during his previous strong seasons with the Arizona Coyotes, where he notched 35 and 34 points in consecutive years before suffering a torn pectoral muscle last December.
The Wild will need a strong team effort to compensate for Eriksson Ek’s absence and maintain their competitive edge in Sunday’s matchup against Winnipeg.
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