Rumor: David Jiricek available

[Luigi Lemieux]

General Q - Does Waddell have any history of drafting/developing defenseman? I cant think of one defenseman from his tenure in Carolina that the drafted and developed (Pesce and Slavin drafted and debuted before Waddell was GM).

If that's the case, can we trust his ability to evaluate D talent?

But he did manage Carolina for years. That's a very mobile team and if that's his vision for the jackets then maybe Jiricek doesn't fit anyway.

 

[tiburon12]

But he did manage Carolina for years. That's a very mobile team and if that's his vision for the jackets then maybe Jiricek doesn't fit anyway.

yea he's great and IDing D and bringing them in. Just speculating if his regime is the best at knowing what he has in a developing D.

Interesting to think about, though probably means little lol

 

[Scoresberg]

If we're talking about packages instead of one-for-one deals, I do believe the Preds could be a strong candidate.

Evangelista/Kemell
2024 1st round pick (the better of the 1sts VGK/TBL, top-10 protected, if top-10 pick then CBJ gets the worse of the two)
2024 2nd round pick (TBL's pick)

I do wonder if CBJ would be interested in Magnus Chrona as well. Has put up some good numbers in the AHL and in terms of goalie prospects, I'm not seeing much with CBJ. If they're in need of veteran players, we could interest you in a Nyquist or a Sissons.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Pettersson is the last type of dman the Canucks need. They struggle at breaking the puck out of their own end, why would they add a dman who struggles at just that?

Pettersson doesn't struggle with that. The Pens system struggles at that. But the player doesn't.

Marcus skates well, has a strong outlet pass, is good for 30-35pts and he's a reliable defenseman in his own end. The issue is the Penguins almost non existent defensive structure and system has everything looking terrible.

That is not an indictment to Pettersson and I know Allvin and JR know this.

Vancouver would just take Jiricek here.

Yeah that's a stupid trade entirely. Pens can't get Jiricek unless they overpay to get more to land him. And then Sullivan will use this player like garbage anyway.

The simple trade is Vancouver getting Marcus Pettersson and at best, a third team maybe taking salary retention or the canucks add a little bit to dump salary back (like Forbort, Desharnais, one of them).

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

General Q - Does Waddell have any history of drafting/developing defenseman? I cant think of one defenseman from his tenure in Carolina that the drafted and developed (Pesce and Slavin drafted and debuted before Waddell was GM).

If that's the case, can we trust his ability to evaluate D talent?

Tobias Enstrom (Thrashers) I think may be his best drafted defenseman

 

[surixon]

Or if he's really smart he finds a way to keep him. Whether that's pumping his tires to keep him going or being more of a hardass and reminding them that the team has the control and he'll have to improve his play to either make the big team or to boost his value enough so a trade comes through that benefits the CBJ.

The timing of all this is very poor, later in the season or probably even better yet the offseason would be the time for a deal to happen

Also a possibility. I haven't been following this situation close enough to know if his relationship with the team is broken beyond repair.

It's in the players best interest to work his ass off in the AHL to prove to teams interested that he can step in and is worth the cost, or prove to management to open a spot for him on the roster.

 

[SteelCityCannon]

If we're talking about packages instead of one-for-one deals, I do believe the Preds could be a strong candidate.

Evangelista/Kemell
2024 1st round pick (the better of the 1sts VGK/TBL, top-10 protected, if top-10 pick then CBJ gets the worse of the two)
2024 2nd round pick (TBL's pick)

I do wonder if CBJ would be interested in Magnus Chrona as well. Has put up some good numbers in the AHL and in terms of goalie prospects, I'm not seeing much with CBJ. If they're in need of veteran players, we could interest you in a Nyquist or a Sissons.

I really hope they continue to push for a 1 for 1 trade, but if it's not I think they'll be able to get a better deal picks wise.

 

[Empoleon8771]

The Pens offered their best prospect for McGroarty who wasn't going to sign with the Jets.

If Wadell is smart he holds out for the value he wants. He has the player already signed and under team control. He can afford to let him get his game going in the AHL.

Not only that, but the rumors are that they're also offering McGroarty for Jiricek.

I understand that Jiricek won't bring back his "true value" but I don't know why people are saying he's only going to bring back crap. With that Bonk example, I don't see why Philly would have any sort of issue doing that. Both are RHD so it's basically just upgrading (IMO) from Bonk to Jiricek. Bonk's a very good prospect so Columbus gets back something good as well, but it's still a net upgrade for Philly.

I feel like Columbus should be getting a prospect like Bonk, McGroarty or Ohgren as the centerpiece for Jiricek. One of those guys and a smaller plus (think B prospect or late 2nd/early 3rd caliber) for Jiricek should be reasonable.

 

[Czechboy]

Yes, of course. He was also an NHL regular who could skate like the wind, showed flashes of brilliance, and produced darn well with minimum PP time due to Makar and Toews.

I'm not being negative about Jiricek. For a year+ I've insisted the Jackets are mishandling him and are on the verge of ruining him. I like the kid a lot and think Columbus gave him mixed signals and botched the entire situation. But, I also believe they are not dealing from a position of strength and will move him for a decent return... yet far from amazing.

If you are arguing Byram is a more magical skater, zero argument. If you are arguing he was flying in the NHL at Jiricek's age. Strong disagree. He was drafted and went back to junior (Jiricek was AHL and NHL0. In his second year he had 19 games and 2 points. His third year had him back in the AHL.

The rest I totally agree with. No idea how not playing a guy anywhere makes him better? I hope Columbus gets a great return but am guessing they will regret this one in the long run.

 

[Empoleon8771]

View attachment 936330

If you are arguing Byram is a more magical skater, zero argument. If you are arguing he was flying in the NHL at Jiricek's age. Strong disagree. He was drafted and went back to junior (Jiricek was AHL and NHL0. In his second year he had 19 games and 2 points. His third year had him back in the AHL.

The rest I totally agree with. No idea how not playing a guy anywhere makes him better? I hope Columbus gets a great return but am guessing they will regret this one in the long run.

I'm also confused for why you'd argue that Mittelstadt isn't a good return for him, either. Mittelstadt definitely struggled early in his career, but he broke out in 2022-2023 and continued to be a 60 point 2C in the season he was moved by Buffalo. He's now performing even better than that for Colorado, it's hardly a move that looks bad for Colorado at this point.

 

[SteelCityCannon]

I'm also confused for why you'd argue that Mittelstadt isn't a good return for him, either. Mittelstadt definitely struggled early in his career, but he broke out in 2022-2023 and continued to be a 60 point 2C in the season he was moved by Buffalo. He's now performing even better than that for Colorado, it's hardly a move that looks bad for Colorado at this point.

I was actually going to bring that up as well. If we got a player like him for Jiricek I would be satisfied honestly.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

As an organization, the Jackets have never been great, and they don't have a stellar track record of developing high-end talent... but they refuse to give talents like Jiricek and Mateychuk a chance.

The Jackets' lack of a stellar track record in developing high-end talent is largely because they've done what you want them to do with Jiricek and Mateychuk right now.

 

[Peter Griffin]

I feel like Columbus should be getting a prospect like Bonk, McGroarty or Ohgren as the centerpiece for Jiricek. One of those guys and a smaller plus (think B prospect or late 2nd/early 3rd caliber) for Jiricek should be reasonable.

If that's the ask I wouldn't be opposed to a Lekkerimaki+ deal from Vancouver.+

 

[Empoleon8771]

If that's the ask I wouldn't be opposed to a Lekkerimaki+ deal from Vancouver.+

Yeah that’s about what I’d expect from Vancouver, either him or Willander.

A mid/late 1st rounder that is progressing well and a small plus for Jiricek seems totally reasonable.

 

[Czechboy]

I'm also confused for why you'd argue that Mittelstadt isn't a good return for him,

I argued this?

 

[Fro]

I think of Chara and what he was at this age. Similar concerns and did not have Jiricek's puck skills.

I would be very cautious about trading a prospect like this.

I see a huge upside in him..I really don't want to trade him

I trust Wadell to do the right thing, but our draft this year and what's in Cleveland rn, we have reserves coming

 

[Empoleon8771]

I argued this?

Oh no iI’magreeing with you, I'm not sure why the other guy is saying it wasn’t a good return,

 

[SEALBound]

If it's Vancouver, they could offer Willander straight up, which would be a similar deal to what the Penguins did with Winnipeg in the McGroarty for Yager trade. McGroarty was a little closer to the NHL and could help now just like Jiricek is closer to the NHL and could help them now.

 

[Czechboy]

Oh no iI’magreeing with you, I'm not sure why the other guy is saying it wasn’t a good return,

Got it. I was so confused. I didn't even remember typing Mittelstadt.lol

 

[stevo61]

Well, plenty to unpack here, but...

Let's start with the flaws you mentioned. As a rookie, Jiricek looked outstanding in camp and preseason. He flirted with making the jump from the onset. At that point, he appeared more raw than flawed, no?

Last year, he was basically promised a spot... told to get a place... then was sent down because he didn't set the world on fire. Imho, that was the beginning of the problems. This season, he was considered a slam dunk to make the club by all indications, and here we are again.

This begs the question:

Is he truly flawed, or are the Jackets expectations unreasonable, considering they refuse to extend him a leash so he can scrape his knees and learn on the big stage? If his flaws are that abhorrent, then the Jackets, the player, or both haven't done a good enough job with his development. Or, he's mentally frustrated with the team and is playing on eggshells. Either way, this doesn't elevate his trade value... if anything, it gives other teams pause, as a potential deal comes with plenty of risk.

I feel Jiricek doesn't trust the team anymore and it's now between his ears. I also think the Jackets need to shoulder a good portion of the blame for the mixed signals and constant yo-yoing. Of course, this is just my opinion.

As for the other D in the draft...

Mintyukov is playing huge minutes and thriving in Anaheim. Last season they committed to him, gave him a leash, and let him grind his teeth and make mistakes in the NHL. This year, he is thriving, even though he's far from a polished gem.

Korchinski... I feel similarly as I do with Jiricek. I think the Hawks should give this kid a shot and let him learn in the NHL. The Hawks are a mess, are in the process of a rebuild, and their prospects won't be perfect. Heck, Bedard is struggling big-time! It happens... but let the kids play.

Nemec is the head-scratcher for me. Personally, I thought Jiricek was the better player on draft day and I still believe he could end up better... but things need to reverse course immediately. I feel the Devils should be leaning on him but, to their credit, they entrusted Luke Hughes and are giving him the chance to thrive. So they are at least giving one of their young studs on D a chance... which is more than the Jackets are doing, considering both Jiricek and Mateychuk are marinating in the minors.

Mateychuk is in the same boat as Jiricek... imho, he should be playing in the NHL.

Bischel... I didn't, and don't, think he's as talented as Jiricek and Mateychuk, so I'm not surprised he's in waiting. But it's apples and oranges since the Stars have two young D studs carrying the load in Heiskanen and Harley... the same cannot be said about Columbus. Outside of Werenski, there isn't a D-man on Columbus who would be roadblocking Jiricek or Mateychuk from earning minutes... certainly not filler like Johnson and Harris.

So my "outrage" (which is far from it... it's just my opinion) with Jiricek stems from the perfect storm that has occurred with him in Columbus...

High draft pick, check.
Good size and skill, check.
In the system of a team starved for talent, check.
Growing pains are no threat to playoff contention, check.
Given mixed signals by the previous GM, check.
Continuous yo-yo-ing with no true plan, check.
GM publicly stated he hasn't shown enough to earn a job (on a bottom-level team), check.
Rumored to be traded imminently, check.

I think you overestimate what Jiricek did in the preseason severely. But regardless, you won't find a bigger believer in Jiricek's upside on our board and I've combating the idea of trading him from day 1, he's a guy you have to make it work with as the potential is too high and he could fill 1 of the hardest roster spots to fill. That said there has to be recognition that he was getting danced around too often and stopped making the plays he was making because his confidence was dropping. There is absolutely no harm in letting him develop in a lower league and continue to develop and round out his game. He also has the benefit of potentially playing with and building chemistry with a player he could even one day be paired with at the NHL level. Get used to each other, make some plays and dominate.

Korchinski in Chicago was another case of this. You absolutely don't want these kids getting caved in. Hell look at how it's even effecting an absolute high end kid in Bedard right now. People act like breaking in on bad teams is easy but a lot of times you get put in positions you aren't ready to handle yet and a lot of those kids sink instead of swim.

Part of what made Detroit good was they made kids wait. It wasn't just that they had a good team you couldn't break into, it was also a case of they knew their talent was ready and when they made the NHL they were ready to make a difference.

People tried to do this with Kent Johnson last year when he got sent down but the idea of dominating a lower league to rebuild your confidence isn't as bad as some make it seem. It's actually a big part of why NHL teams have AHL affiliates after all.

Whatever yo-yoing was done by Kekalainen is old news now. Waddell spoke the truth, Jiricek's game isn't there right now and his confidence was falling. This bottom team has actually been quite respectable this year even with the inconsistent goaltending. We are just in an era where we got spoiled by McDavid, Matthew's, etc stepping in and being difference makers from day 1 so some people seem to forget that many players, especially defensemen take time.

 

[Peter Griffin]

If it's Vancouver, they could offer Willander straight up, which would be a similar deal to what the Penguins did with Winnipeg in the McGroarty for Yager trade. McGroarty was a little closer to the NHL and could help now just like Jiricek is closer to the NHL and could help them now.

If I’m Vancouver I wouldn’t do this. Jiricek has the higher upside, but Willander’s skating and defensive ability will almost assure he’ll be a solid NHL defender, it’s just a question of how much offensive impact he’ll provide.

 

[stevo61]

The Jackets' lack of a stellar track record in developing high-end talent is largely because they've done what you want them to do with Jiricek and Mateychuk right now.

Wait, throwing a teenage Klesla in 18-19 minutes a night wasn't the best for his longterm development? Blasphemy. It checked all the boxes though. Bad team, in need of talent, size and skill, high pick, no threat to playoff contention, whatever else was on that list.

 

[SEALBound]

If I’m Vancouver I wouldn’t do this. Jiricek has the higher upside, but Willander’s skating and defensive ability will almost assure he’ll be a solid NHL defender, it’s just a question of how much offensive impact he’ll provide.

Fair. Might also depend a bit on Miller I would imagine as to just how far JR/Alvin want to go with beefing the team up for the playoffs. Boeser is a UFA and there's not a ton coming off the books so, the team should be relatively set for next year as well when a guy like Lekkerimaki and Willander can make more of an impact I suppose.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Wait, throwing a teenage Klesla in 18-19 minutes a night wasn't the best for his longterm development? Blasphemy. It checked all the boxes though. Bad team, in need of talent, size and skill, high pick, no threat to playoff contention, whatever else was on that list.

The fact that Rusty became a dominant player in the league would seem to verify how terribly wrong I am on this topic.

 

[stevo61]

The fact that Rusty became a dominant player in the league would seem to verify how terribly wrong I am on this topic.

That one still stings. He's one of the major reasons I became a Columbus fan. I thought that dude was gonna be the real deal