Top Defensive Prospect David Jiricek Traded by Columbus Blue Jackets
Moments ago, the Columbus Blue Jackets finalized a trade to send top defensive prospect David Jiricek to the Minnesota Wild.
Jiricek was drafted 6th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2022 draft, making him one of the top defensive prospects in the league.
He's been able to get into 53 NHL games with the Blue Jackets, but the team didn't trust fully trust Jiricek defensively at that level yet, and Jiricek was reportedly interested in a fresh start.
In his 53 career games at the NHL level, Jiricek has scored 1 goal, 11 points, and an on-ice rating of -10. At the AHL level Jiricek dominated the competition, scoring 7 goals and 19 points in 29 games.
Jiricek has profiled as an elite two way player as a prospect and in the AHL, but his lack of foot speed resulting in some bad positioning has held back his game in the NHL.
In exchange, the Minnesota Wild are reportedly sending Columbus defenceman Daemon Hunt and additional collection of draft picks. Hunt was a third round draft pick of the Wild in 2020, and has played 13 NHL games.
Jiricek a very recent top draft pick, and the Blue Jackets are giving up on him after just 53 games. There's a possibility Columbus regrets this trade very soon.
The Edmonton Oilers were one of the teams in on David Jiricek, as he was named one of the team's top three trade targets by Elliotte Friedman.
The Oilers reportedly may not have had the asking price to acquire Jiricek, but seeing that the Blue Jackets got Daemon Hunt as the centrepiece of the deal, it's questionable why the Oilers couldn't have matched or surpassed that offer.
We'll have to see how Jiricek develops with the Minnesota Wild, and if the team will give him NHL minutes right away.
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