Observations:

January 2016 – Joacim Eriksson seems to have found a home in professional hockey, but it appears it does not have its roots in North America. After failing to be signed by the Flyers after they took him in the seventh round, 196th overall, in the 2008 entry draft then signing a two-year contract with Vancouver, Eriksson was quietly decent with the Comets before being shelled for six goals in his lone NHL appearance. After signing with Dynamo Riga of the KHL in June 2015, Eriksson has put up solid numbers for his Latvian-based club; despite posting only nine wins in 30 appearances, Eriksson has sported a goals-against of 2.09 with a save percentage of .929 on a lightly skilled squad. At this point, Eriksson is not a consideration in the NHL and may not be again for the duration of his career as he becomes gradually pushed out of the North American goaltending position. David McDonald 

December 2015 – It's a shame his team is so bad because Eriksson has been playing lights out this season. Since leaving North America for the KHL, Eriksson has started 22 games for the Latvian based club, holding a 6-12-4 record but boasting a sparkling .927 Sv% and 2.12 GAA (1 SO). With almost no goal support in Riga, Eriksson just needs to focus on consistency all season long to potentially earn another NHL contract at some point in the future.Mike Barrett

February 2014 – After a rocky start, Eriksson is finding his legs in Utica. Contrasting his first month, 3.34 GAA, .887 Sv%, with his most recent full month, 1.79 GAA, .939 Sv%, is a good way to tell the tale of two seasons. Utica has been pretty terrible all year, but their record over their past 10 games is 6-2-1-1. As Utica has gone, so has Eriksson. I expect him to keep improving this year and next. Look for a dominant second year in the AHL that should force Vancouver to, once again, make a tough choice regarding their goaltending. Austin Wallace

October 2013 – Joacim Eriksson, once a well-regarded prospect in the Flyers’ organization, has dominated in the SEL over the last couple of years. With a GAA below two in each of the last years along with an incredible 1.06 GAA and .952 SV% in last years playoffs, he is ready for North America. Despite losing the battle for backup to Luongo to fellow Swede Eddie Lack, he will get plenty of starts in net for the Chicago Wolves. If he performs up to expectations in the AHL, he should be ready for a backup job in the NHL next year. Whether or not there will be room on the Canucks is another story. Austin Wallace

Fantasy Outlook: C

Eriksson is a quality goaltender with some upside, but his journey became less likely when he decided to return to Europe.

Footage:

2012-13 Highlights

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