5:53 pm: Per CapFriendly’s depth charts, it appears the Ducks have shifted Stolarz to injured reserve to make room for Eriksson Ek on the active roster.
4:13 pm: The Anaheim Ducks recalled goaltender Olle Eriksson Ek from the AHL’s San Diego Gulls today, according to a team release.
It’s not good news for the health of John Gibson, who left last night’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs with a lower-body injury. Lukas Dostal appeared in relief, with regular backup Anthony Stolarz already out of the lineup with a lower-body injury.
One of Gibson, Stolarz, or forward Max Jones had to be moved to injured reserve to make this transaction, as their roster would sit at 24 out of a maximum 23 players with Eriksson Ek recalled.
Eriksson Ek, the younger brother of Minnesota’s Joel Eriksson Ek, was a fifth-round pick of the Ducks in 2017. His strong numbers in Swedish juniors have yet to translate to professional hockey in North America, though. Eriksson Ek hasn’t won a game with San Diego this season and has a .844 save percentage in eight appearances.
In the meantime, Dostal will take the reigns as Anaheim’s starter. The organization’s top goaltending prospect had a much stronger .916 save percentage in the minors this season but has just six NHL appearances. If the Ducks are looking to get out of a severe funk that has them in last place in the league, it likely won’t come from their goaltending.
The future is now.
will Joel of Minnesots score a goal against his brother , been awhile since it has been done? Merry Christmas to all Hockey Rumors fans.