Minnesota Wild Veteran Center Returns to the Lineup

The Minnesota Wild have been among the most surprising teams in the NHL this season. Similar to their in-state football team, they were counted out only to be wildly competitive. That competitiveness has taken a hit of late with injuries mounting, but they get a bit healthier on Sunday night.

Joel Eriksson Ek back for the Minnesota Wild

On Sunday against the Ottawa Senators, John Hynes gets a boost to his lineup. After missing 11 games, center Joel Eriksson Ek is back and ready to rock. The Minnesota Wild went just 5-6 in games without their center.

Joel Eriksson Ek has been activated off injured reserve. Means he’s aiming to play for the first time in 12 games tonight when Ottawa visits Xcel Energy Center. #mnwild went 5-6 without him

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) December 29, 2024

Ek suffered a lower body injury on December third when he collided with Vancouver Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk. In 22 games this season, Eriksson Ek has scored five games and put up 13 points. He has a positive ten plus/minus. His 19:06 average time on ice is the second-highest tally of his career.

Joel Eriksson Ek ROOFS it off a slick pass from Kirill Kaprizov! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/wvYlmlYnT2

— NHL (@NHL) November 2, 2024

Marco Rossi has stepped up for the Wild in Ek’s absence, but there has been uncertainty as to his place on the team. Bill Guerin recently suggested he’s not looking to trade his young center, and more production with Ek’s return to the lineup could substantiate that belief.

Related: Minnesota Wild Say They are No Longer Interested in Trading Blossoming Young Center

The Minnesota Wild will have Filip Gustavsson in net on Sunday. He is making his third start after an absence in the middle of December. Gustavsson recorded victories against both Chicago and Dallas.

Unfortunately the Wild will still be without Marcus Johansson, although he skated Sunday. Kirill Kaprizov is likely to be out of the lineup for another game or two.

Related: Wild Superstar Kirill Kaprizov Injured, Not Traveling with Team

With 48 points through their first 36 games, the Minnesota Wild can reach the half-century mark on Sunday. They would join the Winnipeg Jets, New Jersey Devils, and Vegas Golden Knights as teams to get there.