[Speculation] CBJ’s Jiricek demoted and may soon be traded

[RWJC]

Blue Jackets Reassign David Jiříček, Mikael Pyyhtiä

 

November 20th, 2024 at 9:18am CST • By Josh Erickson

 

The Blue Jackets announced Wednesday that they’ve returned top defense prospect David Jiříček to AHL Cleveland. Left-winger Mikael Pyyhtiä is joining him on the road down to the minors, leaving Columbus with a pair of open roster spots.

 

Jiříček, who turns 21 next week, has had quite an underwhelming start to the season. After making the opening night roster as expected, the 2022 sixth-overall pick has been a healthy scratch 12 times in 18 games, despite a shoulder injury to fellow right-shot defenseman Erik Gudbranson keeping him out of the lineup since mid-October.
 

Most expected that injury to open up more playing time for Jiříček, who had 10 points in 43 games for the Jackets last year and was an AHL All-Star in his first season in North America in 2022-23. But head coach Dean Evason has instead opted to give more minutes to 24-year-old Jordan Harris, who was acquired from the Canadiens in this summer’s Patrik Laine trade.

 

Jiříček’s path to NHL ice got further muddied when Columbus claimed fellow righty Dante Fabbro off waivers from the Predators last week. Fabbro has more than earned his lineup spot in his first few games for the Jackets, though, posting three points and a +3 rating in four appearances while averaging nearly 20 minutes per game.

 

Jiříček drew into the lineup against the Bruins on Monday for the first time in over a week, but he played a season-low 8:14 in Columbus’ 5-1 win. Overall, the 6’4″ Czech has averaged just 11:12 of ice time through six appearances in 2024-25, down from last season’s already limited 14:36 mark, and has one assist with a -2 rating. That’s despite Columbus controlling 60.5% of expected goals with Jiříček on the ice at even strength compared to 47.9% last year.

 

The lack of playing time has led to some fervent trade speculation over the past few days, although there’s yet to be a credible report of an imminent move. It’s the first roster move for Jiříček this season after he was assigned to and recalled from Cleveland on five separate occasions in 2023-24.

 

Jiříček will now undoubtedly log heavy minutes in Cleveland while awaiting his next NHL chance, whether in Columbus or elsewhere. Since arriving in North America immediately after his draft year, the blue-liner has 13 goals and 44 assists for 57 points in 84 AHL games with a -27 rating. He joins a Cleveland defense that’s currently being dominated by first-year pro Denton Mateychuk, who was selected six spots after Jiříček in 2022 and has a remarkable six goals and 16 points through his first 15 AHL contests.

 

Pyyhtiä’s reassignment comes with Kent Johnson being set to come off injured reserve in the coming days after missing just over a month due to a shoulder injury. The writing was on the wall for the 22-year-old Finn, who was a healthy scratch for the first time this season against Boston and has just one goal in 17 games with a -6 rating despite averaging nearly 14 minutes per contest.

 

https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2024/11/blue-jackets-reassign-david-jiricek-mikael-pyyhtia.html#ref=home
 

 

“We shared last week that Jiricek had become a trade candidate, but now he'll have to be rescued from the AHL to make that happen. 

 

Insider Elliotte Friedman had noted that “there were rocky waters between player and organization last season,” and obviously nothing has changed under the new regime of GM Don Waddell and head coach Dean Evason. Aaron Portzline has confirmed in The Athletic, "The situation with Jiricek, who turns 21 in eight days, has been percolating (mostly) behind the scenes for a couple of seasons."

 

Evason has noted that there are "on-ice trust issues" between Jiricek and the coaching staff. 

 

Now, with the Jackets on the verge of activating winger Kent Johnson from injured reserve, something had to give, roster-wise.  

 

Jiricek and forward Mikael Pyyhtia have both been demoted. 

The writing has been on the wall for Jiricek ever since they claimed veteran right-shot D-man Dante Fabbro off waivers a couple of weeks back.

 

It's an even more intriguing situation because Waddell had already stated that Jiricek "has little to gain by playing more games in the AHL". He has 98 of those under his belt already, playing 29 there last season and registering 19 points with a plus/minus rating of -16.

 

We'll have to keep an eye on what happens next with Jiricek, and see if another team around the league wants to take a shot at rejuvenating the high-end draft pick. 
 

https://www.nhltraderumors.me/2024/11/blue-jackets-make-big-move-with-david.html

 

 

 

[BabychStache]

Another Brannstrom type project? CBJ needs players in their lineup that can score. 

 

To CBJ: Hoglander

 

To Van: Jiricek + 3rd ?

[Coconuts]

5 minutes ago, BabychStache said:

Another Brannstrom type project? CBJ needs players in their lineup that can score. 

 

To CBJ: Hoglander

 

To Van: Jiricek + 3rd ?

 

Even with the context of Jiricek struggling/sitting out Hoglander doesn't get Jiricek on his own tbh

 

He's still young enough, and has high enough pedigree, that Columbus's ask will probably be significant even though he has struggled

 

I'd absolutely be interested, definitely has a higher ceiling than Brannstrom, but you're buying potential in Jiricek as opposed to a proven NHL player

[Caboose]

This guy just isn't good enough for the NHL yet, but is demanding to be there.

 

Tough spot for the team who wants to instill some accountability in their players.

 

I'd guess a trade is the right move, but its not often guys of this pedigree and so early in their careers come available. Pretty difficult move to make.

[BPA]

I’d take that gamble if the cost of Jirek was low.  Canucks have depth in F but not much in D.

 

Maybe Hogz + Woo for Jiricek +4th?

[DeNiro]

And why do you think he’s being demoted?

 

If he can’t even help CBJ how’s he gonna help us?

 

We don’t need more projects we need legit NHL defensemen.

[RWJC]

10 minutes ago, DeNiro said:

And why do you think he’s being demoted?

 

If he can’t even help CBJ how’s he gonna help us?

 

We don’t need more projects we need legit NHL defensemen.

Jiricek is far from a project. He’s still only 20 (for a few more days) and couldnt crack a lineup that was dysfunctional to begin with. Between Peeke, Boqvist and a few others CBJ had issues determining where and whom to invest quality TOI into. You have to admit that it’s been a disaster and not really a solid foundation for much of their young talent. Both Fantilli and Johnson have been trusted/not trusted and I think if Jiricek was given a bit longer of a leash he might prove something. Kid has a big ego though, but often that’s necessary and key to development.

Think a change of scenery would do him well. 
 

I’d be down with us taking a chance on him though I’d imagine the ask prove too much in contrast to what we do need (as you mention).

Edited November 20 by RWJC

[D.B Cooper]

He was a very high pick just 2-3 years ago.  
Only 20.  
This kid has huge upside still and won’t be had for cheap.  
His biggest issue is Columbus sucks and their coaching staff stinks. 
 

Folks on HF were offering up a 1st and good prospect from several teams.  
We won’t be betting him for Hogz and an absolute nothing prospect like Woo.  
 

Hogs, 2nd+ is more like it.  
Maybe even Hogs and a 1st

Edited November 20 by D.B Cooper

[DeNiro]

11 minutes ago, RWJC said:

Jiricek is far from a project. He’s still only 20 (for a few more days) and couldnt crack a lineup that was dysfunctional to begin with. Between Peeke, Boqvist and a few others CBJ had issues determining where and whom to invest quality TOI into. You have to admit that it’s been a disaster and not really a solid foundation for much of their young talent. Both Fantilli and Johnson have been trusted/not trusted and I think if Jiricek was given a bit longer of a leash he might prove something. Kid has a big ego though, but often that’s necessary and key to development.

Think a change of scenery would do him well. 
 

I’d be down with us taking a chance on him though I’d imagine the ask prove too much in contrast to what we do need (as you mention).

I would consider a 20 year old that isn’t ready for the NHL a project. The fact that he’s been given a longer leash and has still not produced kinda tells you that.

 

If we’re acquiring with a longer term development plan I’d be for it. Problem is this kid sounds like he thinks he’s too good for the AHL. Would he even report?

Also didn’t his dad or agent spout off about him deserving more in the media. That’s a big red flag for me. Don’t need anymore problem kids distracting the team.

[grumpyone]

Deharnais ?+ Woo + Diguseppi

 

Jiricek + Chinakov + pick

 

with draft picks to balance it out

Edited November 20 by grumpyone

[Coconuts]

8 minutes ago, DeNiro said:

I would consider a 20 year old that isn’t ready for the NHL a project. The fact that he’s been given a longer leash and has still not produced kinda tells you that.

 

If we’re acquiring with a longer term development plan I’d be for it. Problem is this kid sounds like he thinks he’s too good for the AHL. Would he even report?

Also didn’t his dad or agent spout off about him deserving more in the media. That’s a big red flag for me. Don’t need anymore problem kids distracting the team.

 

Even if he is a project, he's a top tier prospect at arguably the most coveted position, RD. I definitely think there are teams out there that could envision him playing better in their system, Columbus being a mess isn't news. 

 

Yeah, he sounds cocky, but most athletes are. I think he'd welcome a fresh start, in Abbotsford even if it meant potentially having a clean slate with an NHL franchise. 

 

Lot of guys out there are protective of their careers, or potential careers, and I get where they're coming from. Cracking the bigs, and staying, is the difference between making millions and making hundreds of thousands. I don't view it as being just a character thing, it's a business. Are overly involved parents and mouthy agents annoying? Sure, but I get where they're coming from too. 

[RWJC]

14 minutes ago, DeNiro said:

I would consider a 20 year old that isn’t ready for the NHL a project. The fact that he’s been given a longer leash and has still not produced kinda tells you that.

 

If we’re acquiring with a longer term development plan I’d be for it. Problem is this kid sounds like he thinks he’s too good for the AHL. Would he even report?

Also didn’t his dad or agent spout off about him deserving more in the media. That’s a big red flag for me. Don’t need anymore problem kids distracting the team.

Longer leash?

 

He played 4 games in 22-23 as an 18 year old.

Played in 43 games in 23-24 and had 1 goal, 9 assists while averaging 14:36 TOI. 
 

This season 1 assist in 4gp.

 

Personally I don’t think that’s enough of an evaluation to label him a project. He’s still very much a prospect though. Plus, look at who he’s been paired with at times and that will you something. His history is -4,-4,-2 so there is some defensive liability there and why CBJ mgmt hasn’t developed trust in him…but go back and look at Adam Peeke’s +/- with CBJ and that should provide some flexibility on how  Jiricek should be perceived. Btw, Peeke was -4, -14, -41!!!!!, -2 in his time with CBJ. 
 

totally agree that there is likely some entitlement, also strongly believe that CBJ has been a shit show that affected multiple players with quite a few seeking trades out from that org over recent timelines.

 

just to refresh about Jiricek’s pedigree:

 

“Jiricek was selected by the Blue Jackets at No. 6 in the 2022 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut Oct. 28, when he had one shot on goal and three hits in 14:38 of ice time in Columbus' 4-0 loss to the Boston Bruins at Nationwide Arena.

 

Jiricek had nine points (three goals, six assists) in 34 games for Plzen in Tipsport Extraliga, the top professional league in the Czech Republic, as a 17-year-old in 2020-21 and was named rookie of the year.

 

A knee sustained at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship in December sidelined him for three months, but he returned and had 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 29 games for Plzen, the second highest point total of any under-20 player in the league. He also had two points (one goal, one assist) in five games to help Czechia finish third at the 2022 IIHF World Championship.”

 

 

Edited November 20 by RWJC

[Mike Vanderhoek]

1 hour ago, Caboose said:

This guy just isn't good enough for the NHL yet, but is demanding to be there.

 

Tough spot for the team who wants to instill some accountability in their players.

 

I'd guess a trade is the right move, but its not often guys of this pedigree and so early in their careers come available. Pretty difficult move to make.

 

Agreed, people are suggesting a trade could be coming because he can't crack the Jackets lineup. He is not ready to crack the lineup. A trade does nothing, I mean he is jot going to get dealt to any of the majority of other clubs and walk onto their NHL rosters.

 

That should be perfectly fine but in this instance the player feels they are NHL ready, sounds like a Millstein client, talked up and overvalued getting into the player's head.

[RWJC]

Good article/analysis by Scott Bakula arguing for why Jiricek doesn’t yet belong in the NHL:

 

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/scouts-analysis-looking-at-columbus-trade-candidate-david-jiricek/

[D.B Cooper]

58 minutes ago, grumpyone said:

Deharnais ?+ Woo + Diguseppi

 

Jiricek + Chinakov + pick

 

with draft picks to balance it out

Imagine Willander joins the team and struggles a bit.   
Would you take that package for him in a trade?    

[Devron]

Juulsen straight up

[Captain insano]

Hoglander and a first get you jiricek? Imagine a d core of

 

hughes hronek 

Brannstrom jiricek 

d petey willander 

 

2-3 years would have potential to being one of the best blue lines in nhl history if everyone hits potential 

 

[Bob Long]

They probably demand Willander, who might be a regular in our lineup as soon as this kid.

 

 

[Nucker67]

If all of the trade rumours (I've heard) happen, the Canucks will have an incredible D core

 

Hughes - Hronek

M. Petterson - Weegar

Gavrikov - Borgen

Soucy - Myers

Brannstrom

 

 

[Bob Long]

1 minute ago, Nucker67 said:

If all of the trade rumours (I've heard) happen, the Canucks will have an incredible D core

 

Hughes - Hronek

M. Petterson - Weegar

Gavrikov - Borgen

Soucy - Myers

Brannstrom

 

 

 

I like this, let's run with 9 d. 

 

[JeremyCuddles]

11 hours ago, BabychStache said:

Another Brannstrom type project? CBJ needs players in their lineup that can score. 

 

To CBJ: Hoglander

 

To Van: Jiricek + 3rd ?

This would be an absolute coup on management's part. I get Jiricek hasn't quite panned out, but the upside is still there. With that said, you only really make this deal if you're unsure about Willander. Since we are taking from an already depleted roster to trade for what will amount to an Abby Canuck player.

Edited November 21 by JeremyCuddles

[MatchesMalone]

55 minutes ago, Mike Vanderhoek said:

 

Agreed, people are suggesting a trade could be coming because he can't crack the Jackets lineup. He is not ready to crack the lineup. A trade does nothing, I mean he is jot going to get dealt to any of the majority of other clubs and walk onto their NHL rosters.

 

That should be perfectly fine but in this instance the player feels they are NHL ready, sounds like a Millstein client, talked up and overvalued getting into the player's head.

 

Ilunga and I had been discussing this a couple weeks ago as we have Jiricek in GML. Chicago and San Jose are probably the only two teams with room for him on their rosters, and now the Sharks have already acquired Liljegrin.

 

To all those hating on Jiricek, lets keep in mind we honestly have no clue what's going on behind the scenes here, and here are some of the defensemen Don Waddell teams picked top 10 and then butchered their development: Brayden Coburn 8th overall 2003, Boris Valabik 10th overall 2004, Zach Bogosian 8th overall 2008. This guy is a joke, and the worst GM in the league over the past couple decades to somehow keep getting jobs.

[MatchesMalone]

24 minutes ago, Bob Long said:

They probably demand Willander, who might be a regular in our lineup as soon as this kid.

 

 

 

I feel like they'd be looking for NHL players over picks/prospects. This is a team that badly miscalculated their rebuild process and jumped the gun too early adding pieces like Provorov and Severson. Now they're not good enough to seriously compete, but want to make a show that they're too good to play their top prospects. The only possible way a trade will work here would be with a basement team - for two reasons. First, there are only a couple teams in the league that would be in position to hand Jiricek a roster spot, and also those would be the same couple teams in a position to give up an impact NHL player in return.

[Bob Long]

1 minute ago, MatchesMalone said:

 

I feel like they'd be looking for NHL players over picks/prospects. This is a team that badly miscalculated their rebuild process and jumped the gun too early adding pieces like Provorov and Severson. Now they're not good enough to seriously compete, but want to make a show that they're too good to play their top prospects. The only possible way a trade will work here would be with a basement team - for two reasons. First, there are only a couple teams in the league that would be in position to hand Jiricek a roster spot, and also those would be the same couple teams in a position to give up an impact NHL player in return.

 

good point. 

 

I just don't know that we really have the assets. Hogs is really the only F of value we could move. 

 

I'm just not sure we really need Jiricek. A right side of Fil, Myers and Willander is coming soon. 

 

[Provost]

39 minutes ago, Bob Long said:

They probably demand Willander, who might be a regular in our lineup as soon as this kid.

 

 

That seems unlikely as Jiricek is much older with less development room in front of him and can’t crack an NHL roster.

 

Hoglander for Jiricek seems like a good deal for both sides.