This week on the Locked On Fantasy Hockey podcast, the spotlight is on the most frustrating players in the Western Conference fantasy scene. Injuries and disappointing performances have left many fantasy managers reeling. Key players like Joel Eriksson Ek and Miro Heiskanen are examined closely, diving into their underwhelming production despite prior success.

Eriksson Ek's struggles with point production, compounded by injuries, leave him as a potential drop candidate. Meanwhile, Heiskanen's regression raises questions about his value in fantasy leagues, particularly as the Dallas Stars face challenges with their offensive output. Connor Bedard, despite his youth, is already facing high expectations for his performance with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Players like Kevin Fiala and Thatcher Demko are also discussed, reflecting on their past season performances and the implications for fantasy managers. As the season progresses, the need for strategic adjustments becomes evident for those looking to stay competitive.

The Minnesota Wild are facing significant challenges after losing their star player, Kirill Kaprizov, to a lower-body injury that requires surgery. His absence, expected to last at least four weeks, leaves the team vulnerable at a crucial point in the season as they battle for playoff positioning in the highly competitive Western Conference. Kaprizov leads the team in both goals and assists, making his loss particularly damaging to a squad that has already struggled with injuries to other key players.

With the Wild currently just three points behind the division-leading Dallas Stars, the pressure is on players like Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek to step up offensively. The team must also address defensive weaknesses, especially in goal, where recent performances have been less than stellar. As the playoff race tightens, the Wild will need to find a way to maintain their position in the standings while navigating this injury crisis.