Sure, put a top 3 protection on it.
Well, here are some facts:
- Jiricek has explicitly not requested a trade.
- Teams have been told that they don't have anything of interest
- Waddell had him in the NHL line-up because he thought Jiricek looked amazing in the AHL and wanted to give him all the chance in the world to crack the NHL line-up.
- Both Waddell and Evason say that Jiricek took his demotion well.
- Waddell has said that he will consider a trade if the right offer comes along, if it helps the team.
In my opinion, unless another GM goes crazy for Jiricek, he will remain with Columbus for the time being. That does not mean he never gets moved. But I don't see how moving someone who one year ago was near-universally considered one of the best RHD prospects in hockey for a package around a late 1st round draft pick benefits Columbus.
Aside from one (1) Columbus journalist, everyone else is saying they are rushing to make that trade or at the very least not taking their time. Jiricek has not explicitly requested a trade, but we can safely assume that it has been the case since he's on the block. You don't trade a big, talented RHD at 20 years old (21 today!) unless he asks for a trade. They are simply too rare of a commodity and need to just trade one out just for the sake of it.
I've said it many times, this isn't on management. Jiricek needs more time to tune up his game in the AHL. He's not NHL ready (yet) but he truly thinks he is. Whether it's bad advice from people around him (just like McGroarty) or misplaced self-confidence the issue remains the same. I personally don't like young players who think they are entitled to an NHL roster spot rather than work for one and I am pretty certain a lot of people feels that way too.
As for the comments about Jiricek taking "well" his demotion, I'm not entirely sure what else could have been said. I can't imagine the circus it would've created if they said he didn't take it well and privately asked for a trade—which seems a more likely outcome but we'll never know.
Again, as for the return, this is none of my business. It's been reported that Montreal was in on Jiricek but I doubt they are too serious about it. My bet is they are poking around without being too competitive with their offers. They already have two similar caliber big RHD prospects in Reinbacher and Mailloux. They don't necessarily need another one, especially not a the expense of another high-quality prospect elsewhere.