The Minnesota Wild inked versatile forward Joel Eriksson Ek to an eight-year contract carrying an average annual value of $5.25 million, the club announced Friday.

Eriksson Ek was a pending restricted free agent.

The 24-year-old produced a career year in 2021, ranking third on the team with 19 goals and fifth with 30 points over 56 games. He also finished fourth in Selke Trophy voting.

Eriksson Ek authored a stellar 57.38 expected goals for percentage at five-on-five this season, according to Natural Stat Trick. The Swedish center also led the Wild with 395 faceoff wins on 839 attempts.

Minnesota drafted Eriksson Ek 20th overall in 2015.

There are still two more impact players on the Wild's roster for them to sign. Calder Trophy winner Kirill Kaprizov and talented forward Kevin Fiala - the squad's leading scorers - both need new contracts.

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