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Earlier this month, David Jiricek of the Columbus Blue Jackets surfaced in the rumor mill after the 20-year-old defenseman was sent to their AHL affiliate in Cleveland last week. One report suggested the youngster could become a trade candidate.
Those rumors gained steam this week as TSN’s Chris Johnston reported the Blue Jackets seem committed to trading Jiricek. He said they had several trade discussions with other clubs, and there was “sizable interest” in the 6-foot-4, 204-pound blueliner, adding that management was trying to sort out the best offers.
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reported Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell told clubs last week that he wanted a prospect-for-prospect return. However, he could consider a package offer starting with a first-round pick and perhaps including a depth defenseman.
Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported Monday that he felt a trade was imminent, claiming the Jackets received “five or six concrete offers” for Jiricek. He listed the Philadelphia Flyers, Minnesota Wild and Pittsburgh Penguins as the front-runners but didn’t rule out the San Jose Sharks and Buffalo Sabres getting involved.
The Athletic’s Michael Russo believes the Wild are interested in Jiricek because of his potential as a top-four defenseman. With team captain Jared Spurgeon aging, they envision Jiricek forming a right-shot tandem with Brock Faber on their top two defense pairings. He believes they could offer a draft pick and a prospect or an NHL-ready player.
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Earlier in the week, there was conjecture linking the Edmonton Oilers to Jiricek as a potential replacement for Philip Broberg, who signed an offer sheet with the St. Louis Blues in August. Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal considered Jiricek a more physical all-around defenseman than Broberg but lacked the latter’s strong skating ability.
The Flyers, Sharks and Sabres are rebuilding teams carrying promising talent to use as trade bait for Jiricek. Daily Faceoff’s Anthony Di Marco claims the Flyers are open to moving any roster player except Matvei Michkov for the Blue Jackets defenseman.
Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Rob Rossi cited sources claiming no Penguins prospect was off limits as part of a trade package for Jiricek, including recently acquired prospect forward Rutger McGroarty. It’s not that Penguins GM Kyle Dubas has soured on McGroarty, but he finds a right-shot rearguard like Jiricek more appealing.
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