Article: David Jiricek Is Proving He Belongs In the NHL

[Bekki Antonelli]

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[FredJohnson]

And if he can improve his skating his defense will improve. A Jirisek-Chisholm 3rd line is pretty neat with both heading a power play unit. 👍

[mnhockeyfan03]

He has played really well and is only getting better.  When everyone gets healthy he needs to stay up here.  He belongs on the team and is better than bogo, Merrill and Chisholm.  As said above 3rd pair should be Chisholm and jiricek with bogo the 7th d and merrill and dermot put on waivers

[Citizen Strife]

Jiricek looks like he belongs.  He fits the team in a different way than other players do.

I like to term the Wild's approach as "opportunistic offense."

Yes, the Wild struggle offensively, but I heard or read somewhere that the blueline has or is one of the best in the league at scoring goals.  Middleton is a prime example of that this year, and everyone seems to follow suit.  There's just something about the ability and willingness to pitch n the offensive zone, but still recognizing the importance of not getting punished for doing so.

It takes some mobile and fearless defensemen to do that and succeed.  Jiricek isn't perfect, but I think he is benefitting from taking chances.  

The team will and has gotten burned if they try to rush and race with other teams. Jiricek's first crack at the lineup shows me he can stick depending on how the late season signing of Buium and off-season dismissals of players (Merrill and Dermott obviously, and Chisholm likely) go.

 

 

Edited January 22 by Citizen Strife

[Pewterschmidt]

Like this kids potential!  He's got alot of things that can't be taught: size, ego, and a bully attitude that all the great 1D's have (ie Pronger).

P-Dangles, how do you know he has the ego.  He forced a trade a age 21 and the way he plays the game.  I just know.  I get why Guerin wanted him so badly.  Every great D-core needs at least one bully 1st pairing D-man.  Midds is a placeholder for now, but Jirizy looks to project into that player

Jirizy: do not use with alcohol

[Citizen Strife]

Consider also the price they gave up.

Hunt: boxed out as a 3rd pair guy, was serving as a depth guy.

1st: barring a free fall, it is likely mid-late first.  Probably a middle six forward, WITH SOME chance to be better.

2nd-4ths: AHL depth or 3rd-4th liners (Khus, Dewar, Duhaime, etc).  You can find can find killer players in those late rounds, but it is even slimmer than a late first.

Guerin took a swing at a guy who already seems way better than Hunt, even if unpolished.  It's worth the gamble.  If he stays pat, that's a quality 3rd pair guy already.  He's earmarked as Spurgeon's eventual Top 4 replacement.  Getting that for a decade would be huge.

 

 

[Citizen Strife]

According to Russo, Kap and Spurgeon are back.  Boldy and Ohgren move to 2nd and 3rd lines respectively, and Dermott and Jiricek are pushed down to 7/8 make Chisholm/Spurgeon 2nd D pair.

No news yet on what moves will happen to save cap space.

 

Edited January 22 by Citizen Strife

[IllicitFive]

36 minutes ago, Citizen Strife said:

According to Russo, Kap and Spurgeon are back.  Boldy and Ohgren move to 2nd and 3rd lines respectively, and Dermott and Jiricek are pushed down to 7/8 make Chisholm/Spurgeon 2nd D pair.

No news yet on what moves will happen to save cap space.

 

I am a little disappointed to hear Jiricek is being pushed down to 7. Bogo and Merril have been decent as of late, but with how Jiricek has played the last two games, why not ride the hot hand for a bit.

[mnhockeyfan03]

Just saw they reassigned jiricek.  Really disappointed in this.  Let the kid play.  He has deserved the spot on the nhl team.  He should be playing over bogo, Merrill and Chisholm.  Trade or waive the other guys if it’s a cap issue.

[RedLake]

Send Merril packing. Jiricek is high energy and creates chances. Kid is better than Merril and Bogo. Let the kid play.

[IllicitFive]

8 minutes ago, RedLake said:

Send Merril packing. Jiricek is high energy and creates chances. Kid is better than Merril and Bogo. Let the kid play.

Maybe its to protect depth incase of more injuries? I agree let the kid play but I don't know if they can have him in the lineup with the other roster moves due to cap space or something like that. Would much rather see Merril be 7th man if possible.  If consistency with Jiricek, or major flaws popped up then sure send him back down. I always have to assume there are aspects us fans don't quite fully grasp, such as the cap space, especially how that affects moves later in the season since you can bank cap space to my understanding. Just hope he finds a way back and continues like he has been.

[Enforceror]

2 minutes ago, IllicitFive said:

Maybe its to protect depth incase of more injuries? I agree let the kid play but I don't know if they can have him in the lineup with the other roster moves due to cap space or something like that. Would much rather see Merril be 7th man if possible.  If consistency with Jiricek, or major flaws popped up then sure send him back down. I always have to assume there are aspects us fans don't quite fully grasp, such as the cap space, especially how that affects moves later in the season since you can bank cap space to my understanding. Just hope he finds a way back and continues like he has been.

In listening to Hynes' interviews, it feels like what he's saying (without saying it) is DJ still has holes in his game that he wants to shore up. Sounds to me like defensive details.

[M_Nels]

43 minutes ago, mnhockeyfan03 said:

Just saw they reassigned jiricek.  Really disappointed in this.  Let the kid play.  He has deserved the spot on the nhl team.  He should be playing over bogo, Merrill and Chisholm.  Trade or waive the other guys if it’s a cap issue.

Don't agree with all of your takes but this one is spot on.

Bogo could be the 7th D for a few games, waive Dermott (one cap space issue why Jiri couldn't stay up), could waive Merrill too unless there's a trade package in the works in the near future for him or Chisholm.

Yes, Jiri is raw and has some holes in his game but he has also shown that he can perform on the big stage. He's got an edge to him, he's aggressive, has a bomb of a shot and apparently can walk and deke guys from the point, something that Merrill and Bogo cannot offer. If he struggles mightily defensively then send him down and reinsert Bogo as the 3rd pair RHD.

[WheelSnipeCelly]

1 hour ago, mnhockeyfan03 said:

Just saw they reassigned jiricek.  Really disappointed in this.  Let the kid play.  He has deserved the spot on the nhl team.  He should be playing over bogo, Merrill and Chisholm.  Trade or waive the other guys if it’s a cap issue.

Definitely a bummer — he definitely shined with his call up. Just read that it was due to cap issues and the only way to make the math work with both Spurg and Kap coming back. I'm sure he'll be back before the end of the season!

[Burnt Toast]

It will be interesting to see how and when the Wild plan on extending him. He’s only signed through next season. I think the Wild’s cap guy is going to be busy finding $ for all these young up and comers. Things are looking good with the buyout hits mostly coming off the books, but guys are starting to line up at the payout window. I wouldn’t want the Gus Bus to leave the station without a fill up. And let’s make sure Rossi will be baaaack. 

[RedLake]

The kid proved his worth. Why is Merril playing? Merril doesn't have NHL talent it's obvious. This is BS.

[mnfaninnc]

4 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

According to Russo, Kap and Spurgeon are back.  Boldy and Ohgren move to 2nd and 3rd lines respectively, and Dermott and Jiricek are pushed down to 7/8 make Chisholm/Spurgeon 2nd D pair.

No news yet on what moves will happen to save cap space.

If this is the case, Jirzy will be reassigned shortly. Perhaps waiting to make sure Spurgy can go? He also needs a little extra practice time with the big club.

Looks like I stand corrected, it already happened.

Edited January 23 by mnfaninnc

[mnfaninnc]

If I were developing Jiricek, I would want him to be playing 22 minutes somewhere. That's top pairing with Lambos in Iowa. I'd want him to work on the defensive assignments, his gaps, and his skating. He can do that while the other guys hold down the fort. 

Merrill is consistent, but definitely a well below average defender. Bogosian is above that but also below average. They can get you that 13-15 minutes and some good penalty killing. 

Jirzy goes back to Iowa with a ton of confidence knowing he belongs. Another opportunity will come. I'm still thinking March. I also don't think he'll be the next callup, I think that will be Lambos. They need to see how he fits and if he's ready. 

Why? Because if they are thinking about sending off Chizzy, this would be the backfill, at least until Buium was signed. If Lambos can hold down the fort as a 3rd pairing at this stage, that's a plus. He's more physical than Dermott and much faster than Merrill. Merrill could be traded or put on waivers. Is Merrill better than Spacek or Crotty? I don't really know. I wouldn't mind riding a 3rd pairing of Lambos and Jiricek going into the playoffs, though. 

[mnfaninnc]

Just wanted to clean up a couple of previous comments in different threads:

1. I think it was mentioned during the Monday game, but MacKenzie Blackwood resigned with Colorado at 5 x $5.25. For me, I think that has to be Goose's ceiling, and I'd think he was a notch below Blackwood. 
2. Yurov potted a goal and assist the other night, but also led the team with 6 SOGs. I think Metallurg is starting to roll.
3. What has happened to Rieger Lorenz? 6 points in 22 games? I would call this disappointing. 

I know we'll have a good D corps going forward but think about the near future: In no particular order

1. Middleton
2. Faber
3. Spurgeon
4. Brodin
5. Buium
6. Jiricek 
7. Bogosian
8. Lambos

This is quite a good problem to have, but, wow, what do you do with them all?

 

[1Brotherbill]

6 hours ago, Enforceror said:

In listening to Hynes' interviews, it feels like what he's saying (without saying it) is DJ still has holes in his game that he wants to shore up. Sounds to me like defensive details.

Sending him to Iowa is probably best.  He is pretty talented, however even with how well he is playing you can see he isn't playing in the system.  Merrill as much as I hate saying it is able to play in the system.  Plus moving him down to final pair would limit his ice time to 6 or 7 minutes a night probably less.  Better to put him in Iowa and let him get 25 a night.  Work on some things and develop better.  

Next year we will see him next to Buium or Chisholm in St. Paul.  

[Dango]

They think Faber immediately stepping in was an anomaly and might not be the same for  Zee Bee . So he might have some Iowa marinating time . 

[M_Nels]

11 hours ago, 1Brotherbill said:

Plus moving him down to final pair would limit his ice time to 6 or 7 minutes a night probably less.

His TOI wouldn't be that low even on the 3rd pair...

Merrill's average TOI is 14:29..Bogo's is 16:45

Granted, those 2 play more PK than they would probably have Jiri play but he was on PP2 which Merrill and Bogo do not do. I'd say lowest would be 10-12mins but I get your point. 

[Pewterschmidt]

16 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

If I were developing Jiricek, I would want him to be playing 22 minutes somewhere. That's top pairing with Lambos in Iowa. I'd want him to work on the defensive assignments, his gaps, and his skating.

I'm with MNFan on Jirizy.  This is what a constructive development path looks like.  Bring him up for a stint, let him experience some success (to Jirizy's credit he created his own success when given the opportunity.  looking at you ogz & wall-e), then send him back down to AHL when vets are healthy so he can log big minutes in all situations in the AHL.  Like this kid alot already.  He's not ready for prime time but I like his chances to become a top 4 bully defenseman with alot of tools in his toolbox.

#Jirizy: ask your doctor before taking jirizy with other anti-depressants or stool softeners.  

[Up North Guy]

Once again, according to Russo on the PA show this morning, the Wild are having conversations with Jiri about staying in St Paul over the summer (at least part time) and working on strength conditioning and working with Andy Ness on skating like Rossi. I see that as a very good sign. Hopefully Jiri buys in the way Rossi did.