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

[majormajor]

Hard not to be enthused by what you saw last 2 games. He’s clunky as a skater but his instincts are good and he’s confident, even in his debut with a new team. It’s been said a thousand times, but a summer of strength training and maturation (I still think he’s growing into his body) should work wonders. Pair him with Brodin down the line, and he will have a perfect safety net to be aggressive.

There's no doubt that he would be incredible if he was a good skater and had an advanced physique, so I understand the room for optimism there. But he's also been doing skating and weight training in the AHL for two and half years now, not just in the summers. It's not like the Jackets didn't think of that, they knew that was the problem.

Sometimes guys don't get the right hormonal balance to fill out until they're well into their 20s, that could be it for Jiricek. This surprises people because he was always a big broad shouldered kid who played physical hockey in Czechia, but in terms of development timeline he has more in common with your typical smallish prospect.

The skating is hardwired wrong. It hasn't improved much in years of skating training and I think it might never come. Just my personal theory - but I think a lot of guys can't get away from the bad technique because they're playing games, and under pressure the bad wiring reactivates. This is especially true for highly competitive players like Jiricek. So I always wonder if they can make a breakthrough if they have something like 6-8 months of skating training without games.

 

[MNRube]

There's no doubt that he would be incredible if he was a good skater and had an advanced physique, so I understand the room for optimism there. But he's also been doing skating and weight training in the AHL for two and half years now, not just in the summers. It's not like the Jackets didn't think of that, they knew that was the problem.

Sometimes guys don't get the right hormonal balance to fill out until they're well into their 20s, that could be it for Jiricek. This surprises people because he was always a big broad shouldered kid who played physical hockey in Czechia, but in terms of development timeline he has more in common with your typical smallish prospect.

The skating is hardwired wrong. It hasn't improved much in years of skating training and I think it might never come. Just my personal theory - but I think a lot of guys can't get away from the bad technique because they're playing games, and under pressure the bad wiring reactivates. This is especially true for highly competitive players like Jiricek. So I always wonder if they can make a breakthrough if they have something like 6-8 months of skating training without games.

I’d agree with you if it wasn’t painfully obvious he isn’t built like an NHLer - look at him in a t-shirt and it’s clear he’s not putting in work to build muscle. Maybe he is still growing into his body, in which case he may not find his stride until his mid-20s, like you said. Or, he’s not dedicated during the offseason. I don’t buy that Columbus was the problem, but plenty of players thrive with a change of scenery and a fresh start. Maybe he becomes a Byfuglien type of rover, who develops slower.

 

[majormajor]

look at him in a t-shirt and it’s clear he’s not putting in work to build muscle.

You can't always tell - sometimes for 20 year olds the results just don't come. The same kid might try it again at 22 and absolutely pop. And that's with other aspects like diet held constant.

 

[Czechboy]

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

You can't always tell - sometimes for 20 year olds the results just don't come. The same kid might try it again at 22 and absolutely pop. And that's with other aspects like diet held constant.

My patience goes until he's 25. Tage Thompson rule.

 

[TheNumber4]

Kolesar’s a moron.

Since when did Jiricek get called up?