David Jiricek #55 of the Columbus Blue Jackets (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The Columbus Blue Jackets continue to put forth a valiant effort this season as teams around the league start to look at potential players on their roster. One of those players is young, offensive defenseman David Jiricek.
Earlier in the week, Jiricek was sent to the minors and the team's AHL affiliate, Cleveland Monsters. The sixth overall pick from the 2022 NHL Draft has never really found his footing in the NHL and is stuck behind a logjam of defenders in Columbus.
Blue Jackets General Manager Don Waddell spoke candidly with RG last month, reiterating that his phone never stops ringing about players on his team.
“Look, I talk to every team, and every day, I’m picking a few more teams off to see where they’re at right now because that’s part of my job,” Waddell told RG.
But the one player who keeps being mentioned in trade discussions is David Jiricek. According to a source close to Columbus, he will eventually be traded. It appears he was assigned to the AHL by Columbus to cover their bases and give him the right environment to harness his true potential.
"I think eventually [he will be traded],” the source told RG.
"They assigned him to the Monsters today (Wednesday). So, they probably still have a bit of hope. I think Waddell is covering his bases before a trade."
This is the second general manager to send Jiricek between the NHL and AHL. After all, Jiricek was a Jarmo Kekäläinen draft pick in 2022, prior to the former manager being relieved of his duties last season.
In his time with the organization, the former 6th overall pick has played in 53 games, including 43 games last season and only six of 18 games this season, before being sent to the minors.
The current reasoning behind Jiricek's demotion to the minors is to work on his defensive game, play a lot of minutes, and gain confidence in himself. It is also a great way to showcase his ability for other teams scouting the AHL; allowing them to see what value Jiricek can bring to their organization outside of Columbus.
Several teams are currently on the market looking for defensemen, especially right-shot defensemen with size. Standing at 6-foot-3, the right-shot defenseman is a prime candidate for teams to pounce on, as he has the potential to be a top-four defenseman in the NHL.
"If you look at teams that want to upgrade their defense, the Edmonton Oilers and Nashville Predators are potential landing spots," the source told RG. "Both are interested in him, especially Edmonton, who is looking to replace Philip Broberg in their top four."
Edmonton banking on youth and potential to bring value to their roster is nothing new. They took a similar route at forward when they sent forwards Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio to Buffalo in exchange for former 9th overall pick, Matthew Savoie.
But, having traded away their 2025 1st-round pick to the Philadelphia Flyers in order to acquire a 2024 1st-rounder, the Oilers don’t have much to offer in terms of immediate draft picks.
The Nashville Predators on the other hand own three 1st-round picks in the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft, as well as a plethora of prospects and young forwards that could fit in Columbus’ rebuild window.
It will all depend on what Waddell and the Blue Jackets want in return for Jiricek; given that Ivan Provorov's name is out there, too. However, a trade involving David Jiricek could come sooner rather than later.
"There is a feeling it's coming. It is just a matter of when," the source said to RG.
Jim Biringer
