The start of the season for the Minnesota Wild has not gone according to plan. The injury bug continues to hit the Wild as young forward Joel Eriksson Ek will be sidelined with an injury. With Eriksson-Ek out of the lineup, the Wild recalled Gabriel Dumont.
With Joel Eriksson Ek injured, looks like #mnwild recall R-shot center Gabriel Dumont
29 yo Quebec native is an 09 Canadiens (tomorrow’s opponent) draft pick. 9 points in 87 NHL games for MTL, TB & OTT. Played all of last season for Syracuse
5 pts in 5 gms for AHL-leading Iowa
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) October 19, 2019
Eriksson Ek Injured, Dumont Recalled
During the Wild’s three-game road trip, Eriksson Ek was injured in a loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night. According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, he was seen leaving the arena in a walking boot. The young Swede is a lot braver than some, blocking not one, not two, but three slaps shots from Canadiens defenceman Shea Weber. Eriksson Ek appeared to be shaken up after blocking those shots. He did finish the game after getting extra treatment in the locker room during the game.
Not only has it been a struggle for the Wild this season, but Eriksson Ek as well. After signing a new two-year deal in the off-season, he began the season on the fourth line. Through seven games this season, he only has one point, which was an assist. In his career, Eriksson Ek has recorded 38 points (16 goals and 22 assists) in 155 career games.
With Eriksson Ek out, the Wild recalled Gabriel Dumont from the AHL. The Montreal Canadiens drafted Dumont in the fifth round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. In 87 games with the Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Ottawa Senators he has nine points (four goals and five assists). He played all of last season with the Syracuse Crunch. This season in five games in the AHL with the Iowa Wild he has five points.
Going Forward
Already without Mats Zuccarello and Victor Rask, Eriksson Ek will be another loss on the offensive side of the puck. The Wild will need players to step up and find ways to win hockey games. Dumont will get an opportunity right away as he will make his season debut tomorrow against the Canadiens. Dumont will centre the fourth line of Ryan Hartman and Marcus Foligno. He is out to prove that the two-year, two-way contract he signed this off-season was worth it.
The Wild are hoping that home ice will help them turn things around. It has been a tough start to Bill Guerin‘s reign as general manager in Minnesota. If these players are out longer than expected, you could see Guerin make a move to bolster the roster.
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