The latest Wild prospect may make an impression within the NHL sooner slightly than later.
Before puck drop vs. Nashville on Saturday evening, the crew acquired David Jiricek from Columbus, an offensive, right-shot, 6-foot-4 defenseman from the Czech Republic who was drafted sixth total two years in the past however by no means clicked with the Blue Jackets.
Jiricek, 21, price the Wild their prime defensive prospect in Daemon Hunt and a slew of draft picks, together with their upcoming first-rounder, however Wild President of Hockey Operations Bill Guerin felt sacrificing that decide was a “no-brainer” since Guerin didn’t see the Wild drafting from that place and Jiricek is a prime choice.
That first-round decide is top-five protected, although, which suggests within the unlikely occasion the Wild land one of many first 5 alternatives for the 2025 draft, they’ll maintain on to that decide and as a substitute ship their 2026 first-rounder to Columbus. The Blue Jackets additionally obtained third- and fourth-round picks in 2026 that the Wild beforehand secured in trades with Colorado and Toronto, respectively, and a 2027 second-rounder, whereas the Wild added a 2025 fifth-rounder.
Jiricek has been assigned to the Iowa within the American Hockey League, nevertheless it’s probably he joins the Wild within the not-too-distant future; Jonas Brodin missed a 3rd straight sport Saturday with an upper-body harm, and Guerin anticipated to have an replace on Brodin’s standing within the coming days.
“[Jiricek’s] one thing that we don’t have within the system actually with that measurement,” mentioned Guerin, who had been engaged on the commerce for some time and wasn’t involved by Jiricek not panning out with the group that drafted him. “So, we felt it was price what we gave up.”
On the Wild’s radar since his draft 12 months, Jiricek was on the commerce block after shuffling between the minors and NHL since he was referred to as sixth total in 2022.
Last season was his longest stint with Columbus, Jiricek tallying one objective and 9 assists in 43 video games, however a change in regime — former Wild coach Dean Evason took over behind the bench and a brand new common manger arrived, too — didn’t assist Jiricek stick within the lineup; simply final week he was demoted to the AHL after choosing up one help in six video games. In 53 profession NHL appearances, Jiricek has one objective and 10 assists.
