RD David Jiricek (2022, 6th, CBJ)

[Czechboy]

Obviously, but it’s clear CBJ management is trying to toe a line with him. It’s almost like they’re trying to prove to him that he’s not ready. Which sucks for him, but it’s also true and he should know this himself without having to be told.

As for the games played thing, I agree he should be playing top minutes in the AHL, but I don’t think having an NHL environment for a bit is a hindrance. He gets better trainers, NHL speed practices, etc. Those things are worth something even if he misses 10 or so AHL games.

For sure... I've even said call him back to the big club for practices when AHL team has longer pauses (and they usually do). For instance, they play tonight and then not again till the 23rd. So if they send him tomorrow he won't play his 6th game till next Saturday.lol Just feels like they don't want him on the ice.

 

[thebus88]

Bold assumption considering he hasnt played a single NHL game yet. And Jiricek also looked great in AHL and Juniors.

But you may be right of course. Considering this, jacket should really trade Jiricek, because I can already see that if some young D gets a chance after all in their lineup it's gonna be Mateychuk. Really there is no future for Jiricek in this team.

Preseason or not, playing against primarily NHL players, Mateychuk looks like an NHL player and on a completely different level than Jiricek. Mateychuk was as impactful as anyone for the CBJ during the preseason.

They don't even fill the same role or position. Strangely enough they actually looked good together in preseason. I think we'll see Jiricek go down soon and they can be a mega minute pairing

They ABSOLUTELY fill the same role and position. The LD/RD thing is overblown. Provorov and Jake Bean can play RD, and Mateychuk can’t?? Didn’t Jiricek play 1 of him games this year as a LD??

What the CBJ team NEEDS right now, and moving forward, is a player to play the top pairing with Werenski. f***, put Werenski at RD, and Mateychuk on the left. Bottom line, is the easy answer and correct player for the job is Mateychuk, NOT Jiricek or Provorov.

 

[Czechboy]

NOT Jiricek or Provorov

Oilers will take both off your hands!

 

[wetcoast]

He can't send himself to the AHL.

Well he could demand to be sent down or if they don't dare them to trade him?

I'm only half joking but his development just isn't happened by not playing.

I don't see anyone arguing he should have Top 4 minutes right now. But he's played 5 games since October 8th. That's not right for a 20 year old prospect.

Exactly.

 

[Czechboy]

Well he could demand to be sent down or if they don't dare them to trade him?

I'm only half joking but his development just isn't happened by not playing.


Exactly.

At this point.. send him to the ECHL.. I might invite him out to my weekly beer league games just to get him some game action!

5 games since October 8th for a healthy first rounder. It's insane to me. I cannot think of another healthy first rounder this young that is just not playing. This is EXACTLY the role you hire an older veteran to fill in... eg. Jack Johnson. Every team has that journeyman type D that slots in. That is never a first round 20 year old not ready for prime time.lol

 

[Boxscore]

Some people insist that muscle and skating are the only things holding Jiricek back. I disagree. I believe the biggest issue with Jiricek is between the ears, and this is where the Jackets are grossly mishandling him, imho.

After the draft, Jiricek arrived in Columbus and looked incredible in prospects camp, camp, and preseason. There was even some talk that he was so impressive, he could get a look to crack the club at 18. He didn't, and that is fine, he was only 18... but the glimpses were there as were the expectations.

Last year, he had his heart set on the NHL and I believe the GM told him to get a place to live in Columbus. Then he was yo-yo'd and never fully given the chance to learn on the job until he could figure it out. This was a clear mixed message and the Jackets need to own that.

This year, same thing. And not only with him, but with Mateychuk as well.

This tells me there is a major flaw in the way the Jackets are developing their players, both physically and mentally. For some reason they are acting like a perennial Cup contender with an all-star caliber NHL D core and are bullish on over-marinating their D prospects until they feel they are the perfect, polished gem, which is absolutely ludicrous and unrealistic. On top of that, they continue to add fringe NHLers, aging vets, and subpar players to block kids like Jiricek, Mateychuk, Ceulemens, etc. What message is this sending to their top D prospects?? "We don't trust you yet but we're willing to trust fringe NHLers and has-beens who shouldn't be taking up roster space."

Jiricek and Mateychuk 100% should be up playing decent minutes and scraping their knees in the NHL. Let them make mistakes, tough it out, and learn on the job without fear of being punished or demoted. It's time the Jackets show them that they believe in them and are willing to sink or swim with them.

 

[GoJackets1]

Some people insist that muscle and skating are the only things holding Jiricek back. I disagree. I believe the biggest issue with Jiricek is between the ears, and this is where the Jackets are grossly mishandling him, imho.

After the draft, Jiricek arrived in Columbus and looked incredible in prospects camp, camp, and preseason. There was even some talk that he was so impressive, he could get a look to crack the club at 18. He didn't, and that is fine, he was only 18... but the glimpses were there as were the expectations.

Last year, he had his heart set on the NHL and I believe the GM told him to get a place to live in Columbus. Then he was yo-yo'd and never fully given the chance to learn on the job until he could figure it out.

This year, same thing. And not only with him, but with Mateychuk as well.

This tells me there is a major flaw in the way the Jackets are developing their players, both physically and mentally. For some reason they are acting like a perennial Cup contender with an all-star caliber NHL D core and are bullish on over-marinating their D prospects until they feel they are the perfect, polished gem, which is absolutely ludicrous and unrealistic.

Jiricek and Mateychuk 100% should be up playing decent minutes and scraping their knees in the NHL. Let them make mistakes, tough it out, and learn on the job without fear of being punished or demoted. It's time the Jackets show them that they believe in them and are willing to sink or swim with them.

Has over-marinating a D prospect ever worked out poorly?

And on the other side, has rushing a young defenseman into the league when they can’t keep up ever worked out poorly?

 

[Boxscore]

Has over-marinating a D prospect ever worked out poorly?

And on the other side, has rushing a young defenseman into the league when they can’t keep up ever worked out poorly?

That's a tricky question. Because in many cases you don't hear anything until the player arrives... so out of sight, out of mind. That said, in the current cap era, more teams are giving their young players a chance, often out of necessity.

But, with Jiricek, there clearly seems to be a game of chicken going on between him and the Jackets. And he's apparently frustrated with not playing in the NHL. So, the Jackets have 3 options...

1. Keep doing what they're doing, which obviously isn't working, since he hasn't developed the way they had hoped, and he's only becoming more frustrated.

2. Cut bait and trade him. And do it quick while there's still belief he can end up the next Jay Bouwmeester as opposed to Nikita Zadorov.

3. Suck it up, call him up for good and commit to him. Show him you believe in him and let him work it out without fear of walking on egg shells. Play him more and more minutes until he learns. Let him make mistakes... the team is not making the playoffs anyway.

Imo, I think option 3 is the best because I think he's a damn good player who is frustrated because he feels like he's been jerked around and it's now affecting him big time. End this.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Has over-marinating a D prospect ever worked out poorly?

And on the other side, has rushing a young defenseman into the league when they can’t keep up ever worked out poorly?

Brendan Smith comes to mind.

 

[Boxscore]

Brendan Smith comes to mind.

The other part, re: over-marinating a D...

That is/was usually the case with contending teams stacked on D with all-stars and big-time players. Teams like the Wings during the Lidstrom era, or the mid-90s Devils or Stars.

If you're a prospect trying to crack a lineup that features Lidstrom, Konstantinov, Fetisov, Murphy, Coffey, Howe, etc. that's one thing. But when you're a high 1st round pick and only one stud in Zach Werenski, then a bunch of flotsam and jetsam, is blocking you from an NHL payday by year 3... well, that's a different story.

I'm sure Jiricek is looking at the Jackets D and the players they keep trading for and signing... and resentment is kicking into overdrive. Can you blame him? It's like they expect him to be the perfect player at 20 before earning a full-time job, yet they are happy to pay a bunch of mediocre outcasts without reservation. There's no consistency.

 

[Svedu]

The other part, re: over-marinating a D...

That is/was usually the case with contending teams stacked on D with all-stars and big-time players. Teams like the Wings during the Lidstrom era, or the mid-90s Devils or Stars.

If you're a prospect trying to crack a lineup that features Lidstrom, Konstantinov, Fetisov, Murphy, Coffey, Howe, etc. that's one thing. But when you're a high 1st round pick and only one stud in Zach Werenski, then a bunch of flotsam and jetsam, is blocking you from an NHL payday by year 3... well, that's a different story.

I'm sure Jiricek is looking at the Jackets D and the players they keep trading for and signing... and resentment is kicking into overdrive. Can you blame him? It's like they expect him to be the perfect player at 20 before earning a full-time job, yet they are happy to pay a bunch of mediocre outcasts without reservation. There's no consistency.

The same Jets did to Heinola back in the day. This is a valid point. Could also become a similar situation for Niemelä in the Leafs. It's not like they are stacked at D or that the future looks bright there.
Nashville with their forwards the exact same thing.

 

[Boxscore]

The same Jets did to Heinola back in the day. This is a valid point. Could also become a similar situation for Niemelä in the Leafs. It's not like their stacked at D or that the future looks bright there.
Nashville with their forwards the exact same thing.

Yes, it's puzzling. It seems like an ego thing at this point. Like the team set unrealistic expectations for Jiricek and will only play him once he's perfectly polished in the AHL and plays mistake-free hockey in the NHL. That's unrealistic.

Young defensemen are going to have learning curves and play with inconsistency. Unless you're a demigod like Makar, Fox, or Hughes. Even kids like Seider, Sanheim, Miller, Bouchard, etc. have had ups-and-downs from game to game, week to week, and season to season.

 

[Svedu]

Yes, it's puzzling. It seems like an ego thing at this point. Like the team set unrealistic expectations for Jiricek and will only play him once he's perfectly polished in the AHL and plays mistake-free hockey in the NHL. That's unrealistic.

Young defensemen are going to have learning curves and play with inconsistency. Unless you're a demigod like Makar, Fox, or Hughes. Even kids like Seider, Sanheim, Miller, Bouchard, etc. have had ups-and-downs from game to game, week to week, and season to season.

Agreed. Just look at the Sabres. Powers looks like dogs*it every second game I see them play. Dahlin with some sloppy plays every fifth game as well but not as unreliable as Powers and has a lot higher ups In offense. Point is? It would still be dumb to bring veterans instead of Powers if they can't trade him for high value. Sometimes it's also difficult to know if it's the system, bad chemistry between D's or actual talent level that is lacking.

I do believe Jiricek always had huge potential because ice cold mentality with the puck in offense. But if he has character problems he won't become anything better than a Ristolainen in the end. Even if he should have higher upside in offense. Thing is he always looked a bit slow and perhaps needs to step it up. But I agree, then let him fail so he can make that decision in the future. To see if he's up for it and if he has it in him. Because it's not like the CBJ will be a contender or get higher value for him in the future if they keep handling him like this... Also, not the most attractive franchise for some it seems...