Article: David Jiricek Offers the Wild More Than Raw Talent

[Mateo3xm]

12 hours ago, Beast said:

Not sure I’m a fan.  Also not really bent out of shape about it.

I heard someone say they gave up the equivalent of an 8th overall pick.  He wouldn’t be drafted that high right now.  He can’t skate and is conflicting with an organization at the age of 21.

Could turn out well.  The upside is there IF he can learn to skate….but how many can’t skate defensive prospects turn into something worth a top 10 pick in value?

He’s a right shot, which helps.  He’s big and physical, which helps.

There’s just a nagging feeling that this guy won’t work out.  He seems sure fire to have some sort of reasonable NHL career.  But why would a bad team opt to cut bait vs give him a real shot?  They know more than anyone, and it’s not exactly a dog fight for minutes (not nearly as much as it will be here).  Might have rather have seen them up the prospect(s) offered and gotten someone else that can help now.  But, I’m not overly confident in the take.  He may flourish here and Columbus could be wrong.

 

Saying he can’t skate isn’t really accurate. He’s 21. He needs work on his back skating more than anything though. He’s young and needs time to make mistakes and learn from them. Columbus didn’t want to do that. Ppl have said they really aren’t good at developing their prospects. Where are you getting this notion that he wouldn’t be drafted that high? He absolutely would be drafted that high. He’s 6’3-6’4 and a right shot dmen that has a tremendous amount of offensive upside. Have you checked his ahl stats? Those are crazy stats for a 19 year old. Luckily for us we have an amazing skating coach. If you look at how Rossi’s skating has improved you’ll realize a lot of that was from working with Andy Ness

[Mateo3xm]

6 hours ago, MacGyver said:

I was really expecting Billy to unload his main problem Rossi for this project so I'll take this trade and give Billy his credit. 

Rossi isn’t a problem in anyway shape or form. Is that your opinion or is that what you think Billy thinks of Rossi? If Billy thinks Rossi is a problem he’s an imbecile.

[Mateo3xm]

12 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

hold up Tony

A potential (current?) No. 1 center? Hello, Marco Rossi. 

No. 1 center = Marco Rossi? HAHA

High-upside forward prospects? Danila Yurov and Riley Heidt have entered the chat.

Really? again we are doing this? Fine Yurov - the next Fedorov, just like Ohgren is the next Matthews/Forsberg - yes the very same that is in AHL now. 

A bonafide power play quarterback that's nearly NHL-ready? That's what drafting Zeev Buium was for.

Yes, maybe patience a bit? Nope - let's celebrate the next big thing that will never fail!

A goalie of the future? We all know about Jesper Wallstedt

Yeah we do! Drafted 3 years ago! Posting stellar 4.35 GAA and .860 SV% (check out his peer - Askarov - doing a bit better huh?)

As soon as the end of the season, the Wild could theoretically ice a starting lineup that includes:

Yurov - Rossi - Boldy
Buium - Jiricek
Wallstedt

Rossi will be traded. Wally will still be in AHL at this pace and hopefully Gus will be still our net force. Buium and Jiricek will be battling for third pair spot (Fab/Midds, Broding/Spurge, Chissy/Open? and Yurov may be either in AHL, ST.P, or who knows where. 

Not sure i am as excited as others. This is not a trade that will pay dividends any time soon. Maybe 2-3 years down the line. Comparing him to great D of the past is all well and good but does about the same as comparing Ohgren to Matthews. 

 

 

Nobody takes you seriously anymore but go on and keep making yourself sound like a goofball.

[Mateo3xm]

3 hours ago, BillieGismylover said:

Tony, where’s all the Guerin bashing gone??? 
Realistically we need to pump the brakes on this trade. That’s a lot of high draft picks to give up. There must be a legit reason the cbj didn’t think he was nhl ready yet. And now we are going to give him a starting job on the best team in the nhl (according to Russo). I hope this doesn’t mess with our current culture. 

That first round draft pick will likely be between pick 20-30 in a supposedly weak draft so I don’t see it being a high draft pick. Who said anything about giving him a starting job? Russo reported that him and his agent are fine with the fact that he will have to start in the Ahl. Columbus didn’t want to give him a spot in the nhl so he could develop and learn from his mistakes. He’s been in the Ahl since 18-19 and he’s 21 now. This guy is extremely talented but needs to work on his skating, luckily we have one of the best skating coaches. 
Also I don’t see a ton of bashing on Billy on here but he definitely lets his ego get in the way sometimes. 

[Burnt Toast]

13 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

Maybe 2-3 years down the line. Comparing

I hear ya ODC, we are playing well but not everything will work out perfectly, not usually anyway. On Jiricek I believe we’re going to see him this year in a Wild jersey. He will also be filling in as needed. Sure he’ll be developing over the next 5 years but I’m confident he’ll be with the Big Wild. He brings a skillset positionally the Wild could really use. Have no doubts, this is a trade for a playoff caliber player, hopefully sooner rather than later. 

[Citizen Strife]

There was a lot of discussion over the summer about the Wild's lack of "Top 10 players."  The Wild play too well to nab them for free.  This was the rare opportunity to nab someone who could develop into that sort of player.  There's a chance it doesn't work.  There's a chance he ends up like Nino did though: nothing for the Isles, dynamite everywhere else.  

Hunt had a ceiling.  A lot of the other players other than Buium have the same problem.  If this guy has any defensive aptitude, he won't end up like Addison.  He'd have to be a black hole and a pushover for that to happen.  Take the chance you get.  Even better when you don't have to give up any top 10 guys on the roster or horizon to make it happen.

Edited December 1 by Citizen Strife

[Up North Guy]

This trade has the potential to be a home run or merely meh. Either way it is the right call. They have to take chances to get the talent they need. Hunt and the players selected with the picks were more likely to be on the meh end of the scale. How long have we been clamoring for the addition of high end talent? Seems that BG is playing his cards according to the plan as we know it. It is going to be fun watching how it unfolds.

[OldDutchChip]

1 hour ago, Mateo3xm said:

Nobody takes you seriously anymore but go on and keep making yourself sound like a goofball.

oh my ..... you are like hyenas that follow around and just bark out these silly insults. 

go ahead - keep sending this - Nobody takes you seriously anymore but go on and keep making yourself sound like a goofball. 

[OldDutchChip]

1 hour ago, Burnt Toast said:

I hear ya ODC, we are playing well but not everything will work out perfectly, not usually anyway. On Jiricek I believe we’re going to see him this year in a Wild jersey. He will also be filling in as needed. Sure he’ll be developing over the next 5 years but I’m confident he’ll be with the Big Wild. He brings a skillset positionally the Wild could really use. Have no doubts, this is a trade for a playoff caliber player, hopefully sooner rather than later. 

i wonder if we mess up a good thing with how good our current d is playing. Chissy is really playing well, same with Spurge and Midds/Faber/Broding are not going anywhere. So really this year is set (probably next one too). guess we'll see.

[Enforceror]

"Minnesota Wild Recalls David Jiricek From Iowa"

That was quick...

[Pewterschmidt]

11 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

i wonder if we mess up a good thing with how good our current d is playing. Chissy is really playing well, same with Spurge and Midds/Faber/Broding are not going anywhere. So really this year is set (probably next one too). guess we'll see.

If Brackett drafts a single defenseman next year or year after that I’m going to wonder if there’s any plan at all.  We’ve now spent all the draft capital on defenseman that we should for next 5 years.  Nothing but big forwards for next 3 drafts please.  

[OldDutchChip]

5 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

If Brackett drafts a single defenseman next year or year after that I’m going to wonder if there’s any plan at all.  We’ve now spent all the draft capital on defenseman that we should for next 5 years.  Nothing but big forwards for next 3 drafts please.  

add to that the fact that they can't draft D (they suck at it), they can only trade for them (Chissy, Faber, now this Jiricek)

yes, stick to offense

[Burnt Toast]

34 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

how good our current d is playing

After last year the Wild aren’t taking any chances with adding depth across all positions. If it ends up as overkill fine. Wild management is already preparing for the playoffs. Over the last 6 seasons the Wild have sustained an injury to a key player that made success much more difficult. I’m hoping for the best but glad they are planning for problems. 

[Imyourhuckleberry]

1 hour ago, Enforceror said:

"Minnesota Wild Recalls David Jiricek From Iowa"

That was quick...

He's not with Minnesota to play, just to be depth while Brodin is out. He'll get time with their skating coach and go back to the AHL if Brodin returns and the rest of the NHL D stays healthy.

It's very different to accept being in the AHL when your NHL team(CBJ) is the 3rd worst in the conference compared to being on the team that is tied for the best record in the NHL and has the lowest goals against average in the entire league.

Jiricek will accept being in Iowa and developing his game because he's with a better professional team and he's going to play 24 minutes per night in Iowa, work on his skating, and be ready to contribute when the Minnesota Wild call.

Merrill will be gone next year, and Chisholm could be too. Jiricek should see a team that he can help make a run if he stays focused on developing his game.

Also, I believe the 3rd and 4th round picks that Guerin gave up are the picks he gained from trading away his 4th line last season, so the Wild will still have some picks in the upcoming drafts. I'm not worried about a 2nd round pick in 2027. If the Wild re-sign Kaprizov and add a quality top 6 forward to replace Johansson, that pick could be well after pick#55.

[mnfaninnc]

2 hours ago, Pewterschmidt said:

If Brackett drafts a single defenseman next year or year after that I’m going to wonder if there’s any plan at all.  We’ve now spent all the draft capital on defenseman that we should for next 5 years.  Nothing but big forwards for next 3 drafts please.  

Now you're going BPA. If that's a defender, so be it. Yes, we've drafted a lot of defenders, but Guerin also built this team from the goalie out. You've got to still have a pipeline going. Now, if your point is that you don't pick a defender in the 1st couple of rounds, that makes more sense.

So, look at it this way: In the 2025 draft, we just traded up from 25 to 10 and it cost us Hunt, a 2nd, 3rd and 4th to make that leap. That's about what it would cost, too, maybe even more.

[mnfaninnc]

2 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

add to that the fact that they can't draft D (they suck at it), they can only trade for them (Chissy, Faber, now this Jiricek)

yes, stick to offense

Yes, they've really got to change their model on defenders. 6' 190 is not an NHL build for a defender....especially in the central. We need guys with more size back there, like Jiricek, and not these tiny, puck moving, smooth skating defenders. 

[mnfaninnc]

1 hour ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Merrill will be gone next year, and Chisholm could be too.

Why are people writing off Chisholm? He was inexpensive this season and likely will be next season too. Merrill will be gone, and Bogosian might be our 7th D. I think Chissy will depend more on the development of Lambos. Or, we could carry 8. We also don't know if Buium is coming out.

[MacGyver]

4 hours ago, Mateo3xm said:

Rossi isn’t a problem in anyway shape or form. Is that your opinion or is that what you think Billy thinks of Rossi? If Billy thinks Rossi is a problem he’s an imbecile.

Just to be clear I'm in the don't trade Rossi camp. More of a poke at Guerin as I said "his" main problem due to he wants to trade him and it would not have surprised me if he sent Rossi to Columbus in part of a deal. When Guerin decides he doesn't like a player they aren't around long. He seems to be practicing more patience with Rossi.  I'm not a Guerin fan. If that needed to be pointed out. 🙂

[TCMooch]

I really hope I’m wrong not we just gave up a lot of draft capital for a defenseman who can’t skate and couldn’t crack the NHL and got shipped out on a shitter team.

 This isn’t the hype you’re all looking for. If he wasn’t a former top 10 pick you’d all have pitch forks out for this crap trade.

Edited December 1 by TCMooch

[OldDutchChip]

32 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Why are people writing off Chisholm? He was inexpensive this season and likely will be next season too. Merrill will be gone, and Bogosian might be our 7th D. I think Chissy will depend more on the development of Lambos. Or, we could carry 8. We also don't know if Buium is coming out.

Agree! Chrissy is playing great, and has been more physical too and is cheap. Also good on PP. leave him here

[Imyourhuckleberry]

31 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Why are people writing off Chisholm? He was inexpensive this season and likely will be next season too. Merrill will be gone, and Bogosian might be our 7th D. I think Chissy will depend more on the development of Lambos. Or, we could carry 8. We also don't know if Buium is coming out.

I'm not writing him off as a player, but he'll be an unrestricted free agent and I believe the team will be more focused on spending money on their top 6 forwards than in retaining him with a pay increase. He's playing well, but the Wild could possibly replace him with Buium on the 3rd pairing and save money on their defensive unit.

If the Wild didn't expect Buium or Lambos to be ready for next season, I think they would have already tried to sign Chisholm to a longer deal. I think they are making a play for a legit top 6 forward in free agency and may not have extra money for DC.

[Imyourhuckleberry]

44 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Why are people writing off Chisholm? He was inexpensive this season and likely will be next season too. Merrill will be gone, and Bogosian might be our 7th D. I think Chissy will depend more on the development of Lambos. Or, we could carry 8. We also don't know if Buium is coming out.

Well, Puckpedia has him currently listed as a rule 6 UFA, but with a ? after it, so perhaps he will not be. After reading up on it, if he reaches 80 NHL games, I guess he loses UFA eligibility. As such, if he stays healthy, maybe he will continue as a RFA for the Wild, but his solid play is likely to increase his next contract.

It's really hard to say whether he will be back or not when the Wild set their priorities for cup contention moving forward. He's playing well though.

[RedLake]

1st and a 2nd? Hopefully he becomes another Boldy find.

[Protec]

Right shot defense with size, reach, and shot is pretty good. Considering the 1st will be a 20th or higher it's actually a draft upgrade. Since he's young, but has NHL experience, his timing is better than a 2025 pick too because he's potentially ready when Spurgeon is done. That could setup a future top-4 with Chisholm, Faber, Buium, Jiricek, when Midds and Brodin are towards the twighlight of their run.

[Enforceror]

Muahahahahaa!!!!!

Wild now the best team in the NHL (by PPGP%).

It was really hard rooting for the Stars but.....