Wild Add Eriksson-Ek and Reilly on Day One of NHL Draft Plus More
Minnesota Wild Select Swedish Center Joel Ericksson-Ek 20th Overall in 2015 NHL Draft
The selection of Joel Eriksson-Ek serves two purposes for the Minnesota the first being that it fills a significant need for a size/strength player at the pivot which is a significant weakness of their organization prospects. The second is that this young Swede fits the mold philosophically for Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher and Assistant General Manager Brent Flahr because he is a "safe" pick labeled by them as a smart hardworking two way pivot.
Obviously the connection with Jonas Brodin was a contributing factor in the selection of Eriksson-Ek being that the young pivot grew up 15 minutes from the Wild's Super Swede in Karlstad. Also Eriksson-Ek will play the 2015-16 for Farjestad of the Swedish Elite League also the former team of Brodin. I think Wild fans should expect Eriksson-Ek to arrive in North America at the earliest next season.
This is a kid that was off the radar scouting wise to begin last season because he was in the junior program over in Sweden but his size and skill combination allowed him to slow build last year and saw him contribute on every major level both in league play and World Juniors. This is yet another Flahr special type selection and although it has been labeled a "safe" selection, this kid has a ton of room for growth and potential to be a top 6 pivot in the NHL. Not bad for the 20th overall selection.
• Eriksson Ek split the 2014-15 season between Farjestad in the Swedish Hockey League (4-2—6 in 34 games; most points of any under-18 eligible player in the SHL) and their junior team (21-11—32 in 25 games; most goals in the Under-20 league).• Internationally, Eriksson Ek represented Sweden at the Under-18 World Championship where he led his team in goals (5) and points (6; tied), the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial (3-1—4 in five games) and the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
• His father, Clas Eriksson, was a forward who played 13 seasons for Farjestads BK Karlstad in the Swedish Elite League from 1990-2004.
• Lists Peter Forsberg as his childhood hockey idol because “he was a hard working player who did everything for the team and also had good skills.…
FAVORITES
NHL team: Pittsburgh Penguins NHL player: Sidney Crosby Shootout move: "The Pavel Datsyuk" Goal celebration: "Same as Patrick Kane" Video game: NHL 15 Movie: The Next Three Days TV show: Morgan and Ola Conny Actor: Russell Crowe Music group: Swedish House Mafia Website: Hockeysverige.se Sport (other than hockey): Soccer Athlete (non-hockey): Gunde Svan
Huge Win for the Brand of Hockey with Mike Reilly Signing by the Wild
Beyond closing the borders on a star kid that could have called his shot to any team in the NHL, the signing of Mike Reilly to the Wild yet another example of how much the brand of hockey for this organization has been improved. In signing Reilly to a two year two way deal as a loophole college free agent it should be a safety blanket for Fletcher to explore moving a defensemen via trade to address the glaring need at center between Mikael Granlund and Mikko Koivu.
Reilly is a left defensemen which certainly played apart in his decision making process in selecting the Wild because at current they had a spot open on the third pair at that position. Last season a combination of Keith Ballard, Nate Prosser, Justin Falk, and Jordan Leopold slotted in the spot but none of those players are currently under contract with Minnesota.
Reilly certainly is no guarantee to make the opening game roster but his skill set certainly could allow him to play sheltered and specific minutes from opening night for the Wild. Anyone that has seen this kid lace up his skates the past 3 years has been treated to speed and skill at all levels. Reilly will have to work on his defensive end game but he has produced on every level on hockey and was leader for the Minnesota Gophers program.
Reilly was selected in the 4th round of the 2011 based primarily on his lack of ideal NHL size in my opinion but he has grow into his body a bit and is now 6'1" 185lbs which is still a bit slight but his skating and handle of the puck should help him to contribute next season in the NHL. Also being paired with Christian Folin and Marco Scandella should help to shelter him a bit.
Reilly's addition also helps the Wild to be patient with top prospect Gustav Olofsson who will be returning from a season lost to shoulder surgery. Reilly is the master of his destiny in my mind as far as where he begins the 2015-16 season. Reilly can certainly win a spot in the Wild blue line pairings with a strong summer including prospect development camp and training camp.
• He led his team in defensemen scoring with 43 points (13-30--43) in 2010-11 and helped Shattuck St. Mary’s capture the Under-18 Tier I National Championship by defeating Mid Fairfield Blues 3-1 in the final.• Shattuck St. Mary’s has produced 40 NHL draft selections since Joe Corvo was drafted 83rd overall in 1995 – the list of alumni includes Stanley Cup champions Chicago’s Jonathan Toews and Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby.
• Reilly credits both his brothers and his father for having the biggest influence on his career – “my dad has always coached me and my brothers make me better…. His father, Mike, played at Colorado College and was drafted 140th overall in 1977 by the Montreal Canadiens. His older brothers, twins Ryan and Conner, play in the USHL for the Sioux Fall Stampede.
• All three brothers are committed to play for the University of Minnesota.
• His hidden talent is golf and if he could have dinner with any three people he would choose former NHLer Wayne Gretzky, PGA star Phil Mickelson and good friend, Chicago defenseman Nick Leddy.
NEWS: Reilly's Vision Makes Him Top Scholastic Option (click here)
FAVORITES
NHL team: Chicago Blackhawks NHL player: Alex Goligoski and Mike Green Shootout move: “Forehand, backhand, top shelf… Goal celebration: “On one knee fist pump… Video game: NHL 11 Movie: Miracle TV show: Friday Night Lights Actor: Adam Sandler Website: NHL.com Pump-up song: “This afternoon… by Nickelback Sport (other than hockey): Golf Superhero: Superman
What to Look for During Day Two of NHL Draft From Fletcher and Flahr
I think much has been made of a lack of depth with regard to prospects here in the 'State of Hockey' as Fletcher seems to flip 2nd round picks to Buffalo every trade deadline. Also Trader Chuck has been flipping mid round picks around the NHL to return #1 netminders to Minnesota in back to back years. In signing college free agents though, i would argue he has replaced and supplemented the depth of organization prospects.
The most recent example is Reilly but I look at Folin as the kid that should be ready to contribute and lock down a spot in the lineup in 2015-16. It could be very possible that Reilly and Folin play the bulk of the third pair minutes next season allow the young blue liners in Des Moines an opportunity to build and grow together undisturbed in 2015-16.
I am still in the camp that believes Fletcher will move Jared Spurgeon this summer is some sort of package deal. There is just too great a need at the center position and Spurgeon has earned a pay raise that I am not sure Fletcher can come up with the cash to address next summer. Maybe Spurgeon plays into the season and gets moved at the deadline but i certainly would view that as a risk because his value is very high right now and there are no guarantees this current roster group gets out of the Western Conference again not making improvements on their design.
***UPDATE***
With 50th Pick the Minnesota Wild selected Jordan Greenway
• Greenway has compiled 78 points (23-55—78) over two seasons with the United States National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich., from 2013-15.• He averaged a point per game at the 2015 Under-18 World Junior Championship, collecting seven points (1-6—7) to help the U.S. capture gold for a second straight year. Greenway also contributed five points (3-2—5) in six outings en route to a gold medal at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
• The six-foot-five forward amassed 246 points (87-159—246) in 167 games over three years with the bantam and under-16 teams at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Fairbault, Minn.
• He names his younger brother, James, as the person who has had the greatest influence on his career. James, who is eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft, also attended Shattuck-St.Mary’s and played with the U.S. Under-17 team in 2014-15.
• Greenway has committed to Boston University for the fall of 2015.
FAVORITES
NHL team: Boston Bruins NHL player: Joe Thornton Shootout move: "Shoot low blocker" Goal celebration: "Fist pump" Video game: NHL 15 Movie: Lone Survivor TV show: Entourage Actor: Adam Sandler Musician: Sam Hunt Website: NHL.com Sport (other than hockey): Frisbee Athlete (non-hockey): LeBron James
Here is the #WildWednesdayShow 2015 NHL Draft Party Podcast from Bennett's Chop and Railhouse
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Just My Take, Tony Dean
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