RD David Jiricek (2022, 6th, CBJ; traded to MIN)

[Hisch13r]

If you think that highly of Jiricek, how do we know the Devils scouts won't? And Slafkovsky strikes me as a player that could have some erratic evaluations, just like his erratic scoring.

They’ve talked about wanting bigger wingers but Jiricek’s also like exactly what Fitz and NHL teams in general covet. I think they very likely go Slaf with an outside shot at Jiricek. Those are likely the only 2 options. I think had Jiricek been able to play all year and showcase himself it wouldn’t even be much of a discussion. Hopefully a great WC sways them his way.

They just need a winger, particularly a power forward, so exactly Slaf, more than pretty much any other position.

And with Hughes, Mukham, Smith, Hamilton, Graves etc... they really don't need another Dman. Slaf is a little divisive. But even if they are iffy on Slaf, he;s the player they really, really need. I would bet my car on it. Granted, it is only a Chevy Cruse.

Graves is nothing more than a stopgap and he’s only a #4. Ty’s also a massive question mark after just how god awful he was. Mukhamadullin’s also a massive question mark and I’ve never thought highly of him. Sevo walks next year and there’s going to be gaping hole in that top 4 beyond Luke, Dougie, and Siegenthaler

 

[majormajor]

They just need a winger, particularly a power forward, so exactly Slaf, more than pretty much any other position.

And with Hughes, Mukham, Smith, Hamilton, Graves etc... they really don't need another Dman. Slaf is a little divisive. But even if they are iffy on Slaf, he;s the player they really, really need. I would bet my car on it.

Smith is playing poorly, Mukh might never make it, Graves is a complementary piece. It's basically just L.Hughes and Hamilton, so there's definitely room for a 25 minute a night beast there. They would definitely have to like Jiricek for his 5v5 contribution though, they're not looking for a new PP QB.

 

[Hisch13r]

Smith is playing poorly, Mukh might never make it, Graves is a complementary piece. It's basically just L.Hughes and Hamilton, so there's definitely room for a 25 minute a night beast there. They would definitely have to like Jiricek for his 5v5 contribution though, they're not looking for a new PP QB.

Siegenthaler’s great. Severson as well could end up staying. My hope is you re-sign Severson and have a monster RD group of Dougie, Jiricek, and Siegenthaler Severson through Jiricek’s ELC then you move on from Severson afterwards if you need the money

 

[majormajor]

Siegenthaler’s great. Severson as well could end up staying. My hope is you re-sign Severson and have a monster RD group of Dougie, Jiricek, and Siegenthaler through Jiricek’s ELC then you move on from Severson afterwards if you need the money

Sounds like a good plan. Siegenthaler plays RD?

Maybe find a way to get three of the D on the PP? Two on one unit?

 

[brakeyawself]

They’ve talked about wanting bigger wingers but Jiricek’s also like exactly what Fitz and NHL teams in general covet. I think they very likely go Slaf with an outside shot at Jiricek. Those are likely the only 2 options. I think had Jiricek been able to play all year and showcase himself it wouldn’t even be much of a discussion. Hopefully a great WC sways them his way.



Graves is nothing more than a stopgap and he’s only a #4. Ty’s also a massive question mark after just how god awful he was. Mukhamadullin’s also a massive question mark and I’ve never thought highly of him. Sevo walks next year and there’s going to be gaping hole in that top 4 beyond Luke, Dougie, and Siegenthaler

I think you might be underrating Slaf by ALOT. He's got an absolutely huge ceiling. And Jiricek is a bit of a project. I love his potential, but Nemec seems the safer option. I do think both will end up franchise Dmen though. But Slaf is, well, I prefer him to Kakko frankly, as a Ranger fan. And the hype around Kakko was nuts the year he was drafted. I honestly do not see a ton of risk with Slaf. I think his floor is actually pretty high. There aren't many players that I'd be more comfortable saying they are a shoe in for a top 6 future.

Eh. "Massive question marks" or not, they still actually have 5 really young relatively high ceiling, or at least top 4 potential defenders. I forgot about Bahl and Walsh. They are so overloaded with young D there just isn't really a ton of room to add another one over adding a guy who's a perfect fit for a position they actually have. A guy in Slaf who arguably has a higher ceiling than any of their current wingers, even Holtz and who's floor, I think, is pretty safe. And I don't think Jiricek is any less a question mark frankly, or less of a project at least. Hughes is their prize, no doubt. But Mukham has all the tools and traits you want. Smith, he's not quite what they hoped for. But that doesn't mean he's a bust I don't think. Even if he ends up a 3rd pair, PP specialist, that's likely still 4 future D spots locked up, with Hughes, Hamilton, Mukham and Smith. So Graves, Severson and even Siegenthaler etc.... they are stopgaps, depth, maybe future 3rd pair guys. And they are going to have to give Hughes and Mukham real opportunity within the next few years. And there's only 6 active D spots. And Bahl has the potential to be a great partner for an offensively minded guy. And then Walsh, I'm not even sure they have enough room for the guys they currently have on D, without adding another.

 

[Hisch13r]

Sounds like a good plan. Siegenthaler plays RD?

Maybe find a way to get three of the D on the PP? Two on one unit?

Siegenthaler’s a LD. I meant Severson before and said Siegenthaler. My hope is that if Severson’s gone and no Jiricek/Nemec then Luke can end up being a RD like he’s been at Michigan and the NTDP. We’ve got a lot of guys in the pipeline on the left side. None that I’d expect to be more than bottom pair guys but maybe someone hits to be a top 4 guy. We’re pretty barren on the right side which makes me want Jiricek even more than I already do. I generally hate picking for need but I think he could definitely be the best there and it’s also needed.

3D is possible. 1D on PP1 and 2 on PP2 makes some sense. Maybe 2 on PP1 happens because of having both Dougie and Luke but also with Jack, Nico, Bratt, and Holtz up front I imagine that’s a route that’s taken.

 

[brakeyawself]

Siegenthaler’s great. Severson as well could end up staying. My hope is you re-sign Severson and have a monster RD group of Dougie, Jiricek, and Siegenthaler through Jiricek’s ELC then you move on from Severson afterwards if you need the money

Well, they still have like 4 other guys you didn't mention. Slaf's ceiling for a winger is every bit as high as Jiricek's and I think a safer bet really.

Siegenthaler’s a LD. My hope is that if Severson’s gone and no Jiricek/Nemec then Luke can end up being a RD like he’s been at Michigan and the NTDP. We’ve got a lot of guys in the pipeline on the left side. None that I’d expect to be more than bottom pair guys but maybe someone hits to be a top 4 guy. We’re pretty barren on the right side

3D is possible. 1D on PP1 and 2 on PP2 makes some sense. Maybe 2 on PP1 happens because of having both Dougie and Luke but also with Jack, Nico, Bratt, and Holtz up front I imagine that’s a route that’s taken.

Think you are really underselling Walsh, Bahl, Mukham and even Smith. They def have higher potential than bottom pair guys. And Jiricek might not even be the best Dman in this draft. That could very well be Nemec. And I wouldn't put Jiricek, or Nemec for that matter in front of any of last years top 3 Dmen, in Power, Hughes, and Edvinsson. I'm not sure I'd even take him over Clarke. Well, ok, yea I probably would. But still, Jiricek has a high ceiling, he just may never reach it.

 

[brakeyawself]

Smith is playing poorly, Mukh might never make it, Graves is a complementary piece. It's basically just L.Hughes and Hamilton, so there's definitely room for a 25 minute a night beast there. They would definitely have to like Jiricek for his 5v5 contribution though, they're not looking for a new PP QB.

But that's saying Jiricek is already a sure thing. He's in the same boat as their other prospects and he's still a bit of a project. Smith doesn't need to be more than a PP specialist and a 3rd pair guy. You can say Jiricek might never make it just as much as you can say Mukham might never make it. And again, Bahl is going to fit in there somewhere, he seems very solid. And Walsh is a bit of a wildcard. They honestly have better and more young D depth than most teams in the league, aside from like, the Rangers and maybe a couple other teams. And really, Jiricek might not even be the best Dman in the draft. I think Nemec is a far more sure thing.

I'm just surprised people are so iffy on Slaf. The kid looks like an absolute beast to me. I think his ceiling as a winger is higher than Jiricek's as a Dman frankly. And when you can get a winger with his size, strength and skill, and a ceiling as high as his, I think you take it over the Dman every time unless that D is a generation prospect. Which, as good as Jiricek is, he's not that. He's like Hedman style with less offensive ability and probably less all around potential.

If Slaf hits, he's an absolute stud. I;m not sure there has been a power forward drafted with as high a ceiling since Svechnikov.

 

[seafoam]

I can see NJD drafting any of Slafkovsky, Nemec, or Jiricek.

 

[SimGrindcore]

I can see NJD drafting any of Slafkovsky, Nemec, or Jiricek.

Devils are set in the middle (J.Hughes and Hischier) and already god their 1st RD in L.Hugues. I pretty shure they pick a winger, so Slafkovsky or Kemell.

 

[seafoam]

Devils are set in the middle (J.Hughes and Hischier) and already god their 1st RD in L.Hugues. I pretty shure they pick a winger, so Slafkovsky or Kemell.

Hughes is a left hand shot. I think Slafkovsky is the most likely pick for them but it wouldn't surprise me if they went RD either.

Hamilton is 30 and Severson is a fine defenseman but not someone to hedge your right defense.

 

[SimGrindcore]

Hughes is a left hand shot. I think Slafkovsky is the most likely pick for them but it wouldn't surprise me if they went RD either.

Hamilton is 30 and Severson is a fine defenseman but not someone to hedge your right defense.

My mistake. So it would make sense for them to draft Nemec or Jiricek.

Since top RD are kind of rare, they should pick a RD, The question is do they go with the safe pick (Nemec) of high reward pick (Jiricek).

 

[seafoam]

My mistake. So it would make sense for them to draft Nemec or Jiricek.

Since top RD are kind of rare, they should pick a RD, The question is do they go with the safe pick (Nemec) of high reward pick (Jiricek).

I don’t think it makes sense to just draft Nemec/Jiricek over Slafkovsky based on their need for a high end right shot D, I just wouldn’t be shocked if they did.

 

[GettingYourMoms]

Jiricek makes most sense for Devils. I am just salivating at Hughes - Jiricek top pair. Jiricek will add physicality, scrappiness and absolute bomb from the blue line and he is fast enough to keep up with Hughes. Nemec would be great pick for Devils too, but Jiricek would complement Hughes much better.

 

[Eggtimer]

. They are so overloaded with young D there just isn't really a ton of room to add another one over adding a guy who's a perfect fit for a position they actually have. A guy in Slaf who arguably has a higher ceiling than any of their current wingers, even Holtz and who's floor, I think, is pretty safe. And I don't think Jiricek is any less a question mark frankly, or less of a project at least.

And they are going to have to give Hughes and Mukham real opportunity within the next few years. And there's only 6 active D spots. And Bahl has the potential to be a great partner for an offensively minded guy. And then Walsh, I'm not even sure they have enough room for the guys they currently have on D, without adding another.

This is what my thoughts are as well when it comes to deciding between Slafkovsky and Jiricek.
Yes both would fil massive needs but I think Slaf is the best option for us .

What else gives me pause is - If Jiricek was a LHD , would it still be him that people would want ? I think just his position gives him more value than what he really should be given. I am not saying he isnt an amazing prospect. I would love to have him and if we do end up taking him , I would not be upset one little bit. I just feel Slaf is the better prospect for us .

 

[Forge]

Except there is zero chance Devils pass on Slafkovsky for Nemec or Jiricek. Especially with Hughes and Mukham on their way within the next couple years. And they are beyond set at center. I don't even think they'd take Cooley over Slaf either. Heck, they might not take Wright over Slaf. They need a winger, a power forward exactly like Slaf, in the worst way. The top two picks are all but written in stone atm. Wright and Slaf, book it. .

Jiricek and Nemec I'd think likely going picks 4 and 5, unless Yotes make a big mistake and pass on Cooley. But I don't see any chance the Devils pass on Slaf.

Jiricek will be a perfect franchise D for Seattle.

This is a weird move the goalpost response to what is clearly a joke

 

[Hisch13r]

My mistake. So it would make sense for them to draft Nemec or Jiricek.

Since top RD are kind of rare, they should pick a RD, The question is do they go with the safe pick (Nemec) of high reward pick (Jiricek).

I don’t even necessarily think Nemec is safer. I think they probably have comparable floors with Jiricek having a higher ceiling at both ends

 

[GettingYourMoms]

 

[Czechboy]

Third pair.. first goal of Championships in first game. Bomb from the point.

That is 3 goals in his last 4 games I think (using EHT where I think he scored in 2 of them)... All shots from the point. Seems to have a Bouchard quality of geting shots through traffic.

 

[Czechboy]

 

[vildurson]

If he continues playing well after injury, I could totally see a world where NJD picks Jiricek as #2 pick over Slafkovsky.

 

[NotProkofievian]

I love watching Jiricek bombs.

 

[Czechboy]

I love watching Jiricek bombs.

He can score as many as he likes for the national team! If he goes to summer Jr's that would be fun to watch too.

 

[Dough72]

surprised fans want a right shot D when Hamilton is signed for 6 more seasons. Doesn't that guarantee one of them won't be on the Power Play? Beause that would guarantee one of them won't be as valuable as they would otherwise. And if the idea is to let Jiricek take over in like 3 seasons that guarantees Hamilton will be a terrible contract the last 3. Think NJ should just take the winger who fits best with Hughes.

 

[vildurson]

surprised fans want a right shot D when Hamilton is signed for 6 more seasons. Doesn't that guarantee one of them won't be on the Power Play? Beause that would guarantee one of them won't be as valuable as they would otherwise. And if the idea is to let Jiricek take over in like 3 seasons that guarantees Hamilton will be a terrible contract the last 3. Think NJ should just take the winger who fits best with Hughes.

I see that it would just ease him to league better. He does not have to take biggest responsibilities right away. He would be fine on second power play with Luke Hughes and in second/third pairing to start with. If he can beat Hamilton later on, it's fine too.