David Jiricek was a highly-touted defensive prospect in Juraj Slafkovsky's draft class. He ended up going sixth overall to the Columbus Blue Jackets, but there was a belief during the season that he would go much higher. Jiricek left Czechia after the draft and came to North America right away, like Slafkovsky, but played in just four games in the NHL that first season. He did play 55 games in the AHL, recording 38 points.
Jiricek has been falling out of Columbus' plans. He has played just six games with the Blue Jackets so far this season after playing in 43 in 2023-24. Jiricek had just ten points in 43 games last season but had 19 in 29 at the AHL level. There are concerns that Jiricek will become nothing more than an AHL player in this organization, which is why the Blue Jackets seek to give him a fresh start.
Plenty of teams would love to add Jiricek to their prospect pool. He is still only 21 and has plenty of room to grow. Montreal Canadiens fans can dream of adding Jiricek to their young blueline with Kaiden Guhle, Lane Hutson, David Reinbacher, Logan Mailloux, and David Jiricek. A top six comprised of these players, assuming they wouldn't have to give any of those defensemen away to acquire Jiricek, is a promising idea.
Some notes from the Chris Johnston Show: Says there’s around 8 teams in on Jiricek. MIN is the front runner but names NSH, PIT, VAN, PHI & MTL. #CBJ will consider a pick & prospect package now. & feeling is it will happen soon. #mnwild #letsgopens #Smashville #Canucks #GoHabsGo
— NHL Trade Alert (@NHLTradeAlert) November 28, 2024
The problem for the Canadiens is that other teams are bidding for his services. Chris Johnson says the Minnesota Wild are the frontrunners, but the Canadiens, Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks, and Philadelphia Flyers are also negotiating. The early rumor was the Blue Jackets wanted a top prospect, but they've lowered their expectations to a package of picks and lower-end prospects or players.
Is it worth it for the Canadiens to make this move? Any trade is worth it for the right price, but the Canadiens may need to overpay for Jiricek in this bidding war. Jiricek's struggles at the NHL level are well-known, and the Canadiens can't afford to have another underachieving player on their roster. It'd be a disaster if they pay a steep price for Jiricek and he fails to pan out immediately. The fans are losing patience, and it'd be a difficult position to put a shaken Jiricek into.
However, if Jiricek reaches his ceiling, it'd be a steal for the Canadiens. The Blue Jackets are giving up on Jiricek way too early, in my opinion, especially if they already have to come down off their top prospect ask.