Jiricek? I thought his skating was a big question? I know it's kind of unfair to expect him to be a finished item as a 20 yo, but you can't hand out accolades that haven't been earned.
Rumor: David Jiricek available
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Crede777
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His skating is more than a big question - it's his big issue. That and confidence. But when he's in the AHL where skating is less of a pronounced deficiency and he's given top-pairing minutes, he performs very well. That's also why CBJ fans are insisting despite his inability to make the NHL roster he should still be seen as a top prospect in the league and deserves another team's top prospect in return. Actually, many CBJ fans (myself included) would just rather not trade him and instead focus on continuing his skating development.
Skating can be improved, but it takes a lot of work and coaching. I am pretty confident that the new management will be able to provide the guidance, as i am a believer in Waddell and Deano, but I am not sure that Jiricek has the drive to sacrifice his summers and work harder than all of the other players to improve. That's what it takes. It's not just showing up and doing what everyone else does.
I don't expect a 2022 pick to be a finished item, but it's a major red flag to me that Waddell and Dean are willing to move on from him. It screams to me that they don't think they can work with him.
ColumbusTrill
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He has 70 points in 101 career AHL games - all before he turned 21. Those are pretty remarkable numbers for a defenseman that young in the A. It's not like he's refusing to play. Our coaches have said good things about his work ethic. I don't want to trade him anytime soon
Crede777
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I agree, although there is a second explanation which is the one I am worried about.
That is, instead of being "open" to trading him because they are concerned about his ability to improve within the CBJ system, they are "committed" to trading him because he has voiced his displeasure with how he has been handled. In that situation, I am worried that Waddell is handcuffing himself, based upon principle, to receiving a lackluster return for Jiricek. I really don't want the Jackets to end up trading off their top prospect simply because they "want players who want to be here" in spite of the fact that he's on his ELC and has zero leverage.
Juxtaposer
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Yeah, I could see that package happening. But I don't think Lambos is in the same prospect tier as David Edstrom, and rightly or wrongly the Vegas pick was seen as potentially being in the teens at the time of the trade (whereas the Wild pick will be late 20's).
Like I said, late 1st (like Minnesota's 1st) and a B prospect (such as Carson Lambos) OR early 2nd (like SJ's 2nd) and a B+ prospect (like Shakir Mukhamadullin) seems like what I'm expecting.
Bouboumaster
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Crede777
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It's Columbus.
And the need in exchange for Jiricek would be a similar quality prospect. So either a defenseman who projects as a top-4 with potential to be top pair or a forward who projects as top-6 with potential to be top line.
It sucks for Waddell, because the mess was not of his own making, but he clearly thinks it's better that they cut bait and move on. I think CBJ has a good vibe around it right now, despite the incredibly bad luck that has struck them, so moving a young prospect who seems to be out of step with things is not the worst thing that could happen.
As a MN fan, I'd do a 1st and Lambos. Lambos has the tools to be a NHL'er, but not always sure about the IQ. CBJ would be better to insist on Hunt, who is NHL ready right. The only reason that he was a 3rd rounder was because of freak injuries. He's a far more complete player than Lambos right now.
I would also, reluctantly, do Ohgren and a 2nd. Ohgren wasn't super impressive in his very brief call ups, but he has decent size and strength, and a good two way game. Very nice shot....just has to settle down and figure out how to use it. I don't want to lose him because I think MN could use a guy like him(middle six shooter), if he realizes his potential. He'll probably get another call up or two this year, then be on the team next year, given a reasonably positive development path.
toddkaz
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Crede777
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That's the issue though. He might think that, but it's folly to simply cut bait on a top prospect.
If the CBJ does have a good vibe around it, then Waddell needs to realize that the input of a prospect shouldn't threaten to disrupt the lockerroom. CBJ leadership needs to be much stronger than that.
MN fan here. I can’t imagine CBJ wanting Lambos. He has a long ways to go, tools are there but hasn’t put them together and may never do so to the point of being able to stick the NHL.
Hunt is an NHL level defenseman right now being blocked by a NHL blue line that is playing very well that is 7 players deep. He’s similar to another defenseman the organization developed in Soucy that he’s skilled enough, long enough, physical to the point where he’s going to be a sound top 4 guy. Also was Denton Mateychuk‘a partner in junior before turning pro. If Columbus is building some sort of package off of MN’s list, he’s one I would be targeting.
The problem Jiricek would be facing if moved to MN is that there’s not much of a path to NHL minutes this season outside of injuries. Given Brodin’s and Spurgeon’s history that may be a reasonable expectation but a move to the Wild would mean he’d continue to be in the AHL which seems to be the issue at hand here, no?
Hunt is an NHL level defenseman right now being blocked by a NHL blue line that is playing very well that is 7 players deep. He’s similar to another defenseman the organization developed in Soucy that he’s skilled enough, long enough, physical to the point where he’s going to be a sound top 4 guy. Also was Denton Mateychuk‘a partner in junior before turning pro. If Columbus is building some sort of package off of MN’s list, he’s one I would be targeting.
The problem Jiricek would be facing if moved to MN is that there’s not much of a path to NHL minutes this season outside of injuries. Given Brodin’s and Spurgeon’s history that may be a reasonable expectation but a move to the Wild would mean he’d continue to be in the AHL which seems to be the issue at hand here, no?
