Edmonton Oilers Linked To Columbus Blue Jackets Underused Defenseman
Oilers management is continuing to scour the league for upgrades on their defence and the Oilersnation Everyday Podcast predicts that the team is linked to Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman David Jiricek.
The hosts of the show including Tyler Yaremchuk feels that the Oilers may be willing to take on Jiricek as he appears to be looking for a change of scenery. The hosts were curious to why his name has been popping up in trade rumors but it appears that he is looking for ice time.
The 20-year-old defenderwho is the coveted right-handed shot was drafted by the Blue Jackets in 2022, First round , 6th overall. The underused defenseman has only played five games this season after playing 43 games the Blue Jackets last year. He had one goal with 9 assists for 10 points and 22 penalty minutes where this season he has no goals, one assist and is a - 2 with four penalty minutes. He's also seen his ice time dropped by over 3 minutes a game as he is now hovering near 10 minutes.
Picking up a player of this caliber would certainly cost the Oilers some draft capital and potentially a player like Matthew Savoie who was suggested by the hosts of the show. With the loss of Phillip Broberg to an offer sheet during this year's off season, adding Jiricek could help balance the Oilers depth chart and help solidify a position that has become an alarming issue.
The Blue Jackets are still a team in flux as they are currently trying to find their identity while recovering from their devastating loss this summer of their star, the late Johnny Gaudreau.
With Don Waddell as the general manager and the coaching staff completely different with Dean Evanson, it's certainly possible that general manager stand Bowman could give him a call and see what it would take to take him off their hands.
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