The Anaheim Ducks recalled goaltender Olle Eriksson Ek from the AHL’s San Diego Gulls on Wednesday, according to a team release.
It’s not good news for the health of John Gibson, who left Tuesday 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.
Per CapFriendly’s depth charts, the Ducks shifted Stolarz to injured reserve to make room for Eriksson Ek on the active roster. 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. Olle 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.
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