Player Discussion: David Jiricek

[Cheddarcheese]

Typically, young players show glimpses of potential, but i haven't seen any promising signs from Jiricek that suggest hell develop into a top pair defenseman.

 

[SteelCityCannon]

Jiricek’s skating technique and “hockey IQ” are both not things that will just correct themselves or improve over time, or with age.

This is where I'm at too. Obviously Jiricek has tons of room to improve and grow, but I don't see him ever being a strong skater. He's very awkward.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Typically, young players show glimpses of potential, but i haven't seen any promising signs from Jiricek that suggest hell develop into a top pair defenseman.

Maybe not top pair, but his offensive upside (especially on the PP) that he’s shown in Cleveland has been great. Maybe his floor is a bottom pairing PPQB.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

When the Blue Jackets claimed veteran Dante Fabbro, who, like Jiricek, is a right-shot defender, Jiricek’s path to playing time became even more difficult. Monday’s win in Boston was the first time Jiricek has played since Fabbro was claimed.

The Blue Jackets would say they’ve given Jiricek every opportunity to claim a spot in the lineup, but he hasn’t grabbed it. They wouldn’t have claimed Fabbro off waivers or played Provorov out of place on the right side if Jiricek had stated his case.

The other side of the argument is compelling, too, though.

Jiricek spoke openly about his disappointment in being sent to AHL Cleveland last season, but he has declined to express any frustration or disappointment in his role this season. And he has not requested that the Blue Jackets trade him, according to a league source briefed on the matter who is not authorized to discuss it publicly.
Jiricek could argue that playing in only six of the Blue Jackets’ 18 games is no way to find a flow or build confidence, especially when you’re drawing three or four shifts per period. That’s true for even veteran players.

Jiricek has always played on the top pair and chewed up heavy minutes at every stop. When he had that role with AHL Cleveland, coach Trent Vogelhuber and his assistants raved about Jiricek’s play, especially last spring when AHL Cleveland made a run to the league’s conference finals. He was an AHL All-Star as a rookie in 2023.

Under Evason, Jiricek has barely played above the third pair, and not with any regularity. Under all three coaches he’s played for in Columbus — Brad Larsen, Pascal Vincent and now Evason — he has barely sniffed the power play. (Three coaches in three seasons doesn’t help, either, right?)

So where does this go from here? Something has to change, and quickly. Evason is right to set a standard and demand that all players meet it, but the organization can’t allow the development of one of its top prospects to stagnate.

Waddell believes that Jiricek has nothing further to prove from returning to the AHL, and that might be true. But, for a 20-year-old, playing heavy minutes in the world’s second-best league is much better than not playing — or barely playing — in the NHL.

If Jiricek accepts a demotion to Cleveland — he does not need to clear waivers to go to the AHL — he could pair with Denton Mateychuk to form one of the best pairs in the AHL. Mateychuk, who was drafted by Columbus just six spots after Jiricek in 2022, has been one of the league’s top players in the first month.

Waddell is getting trade calls on Jiricek, but has so far resisted all overtures. It’s hard for a GM to give up on a young, right-shot defenseman. Those are the types of moves you could spend the rest of your career regretting.
But a trade would be a better remedy than to continue on the current path much longer. Jiricek isn’t helping the Blue Jackets, and the Blue Jackets aren’t helping his development.

Last Friday, when the Blue Jackets hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins at Nationwide Arema, Jiricek engaged in a friendly chat with two reporters about the best and worst press boxes across the NHL. That’s where most players watch the game when they’re healthy scratches.

It was an engaging chat, to be sure. But it’s not a good sign that Jiricek is somewhat of an expert on NHL press boxes.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1859192473269989389

 

[Cheddarcheese]

Maybe not top pair, but his offensive upside (especially on the PP) that he’s shown in Cleveland has been great. Maybe his floor is a bottom pairing PPQB.

i really need to know why hes still in the nhl everyone is screaming to put him in the ahl. what do they see ? are they scared he wont report and they lose all trading lavage ?

 

[CBJWerenski8]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1859254166280909123

Sent down

 

[stevo61]

I hope Mateychuk-Jiricek can build something together and dominate the league. Could throw Mateychuk out of sync if they do make that pair right away but in the end I believe that pair could torch the AHL

 

[CBJWerenski8]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1859274378678054923

https://x.com/i/web/status/1859274408965112166

https://x.com/i/web/status/1859274594189783215

 

[Ice9]

His game is one issue but if he doesn't/can't wrap his head around the fact that he ain't ready then he's at a real disadvantage.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1859276696068755928

 

[Aaaarrgghh]

It might also be good for Jiricek and Mateychuk to build chemistry in Cleveland which they can use as a foundation to build upon when they are called up.