Here's a recent article with clips that describe Jiricek's game.
Is it a question of IQ or development?
The posts here about his difficulty in processing the game, raise doubts. The quoted article seems to point to similar concerns in breaking down a sequence:
« Jiricek needed to be more assertive at the outset of this play and more aggressive identifying how the play was developing in his zone. He essentially checked nobody in this sequence. »
And another:
« The following sequence speaks volumes about the current state of Jiricek’s game and why the Jackets' coaching staff has little trust in his defensive awareness at the NHL level right now.
Instead of keeping things simple and the play in front of him, Jiricek runs out of place to chase the play into the neutral zone. He’s entirely out of position as the puck ends up in the back of the Blue Jackets net. »
Maybe the Habs can hedge their risk with whatever intel they can gather from Pascal Vincent. However, since many teams would be bidding, I’m expecting the price to be prohibitive and am not sure Hughes is prepared to pay it, unless it involves dealing redundant assets.