Do The Wild Still Want David Jiricek?

David Jiricek has been caught in the middle a little bit. When the Minnesota Wild traded a boatload of draft picks and a defenseman (that they eventually got back, in Daemon Hunt) for the former sixth-overall pick, he was seen as more of an instant answer for some offense from the blue line for the NHL club. 

Now over a year later, Jiricek is on the bubble and splitting time between the AHL and NHL. But still, he just turned 22 years old in November and has all the potential to work out. Well, the Wild certainly still hold that confidence in his ability.

In Michael Russo's latest at The Athletic, the Wild's director of player development Brad Bombardir made it clear that Jiricek is still in their plans and fans need to have some patience.

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“I believe he’s going to be a hell of a player for us, I do,” Wild director of player development Brad Bombardir told The Athletic. “I have no qualms with it. He’s shown some great areas where he’s really effective. I have no problem with him. I know internally we have an incredible amount of patience. You have to give them time. On the outside, it’s where he’s drafted and all that, but that’s just a number. Beyond that, you have to have the ability to put the work in. Be patient. Let guys fail, let guys succeed, they will reward you eventually. Everyone wants to fast-track guys, and it’s hard.”

Bombardir said it’s important for prospects to cycle through the NHL with enough reps to get a better feel for and understanding of opposing teams and players, how the game is played at this level.

“It’s really difficult to play in the NHL — you can get some games, but it’s tough to survive in the NHL,” said Bombardir, a former defenseman who played 356 games in the NHL. “Most of those guys do because you start to understand teams, start to understand the game, you start to understand your opponent more. For young guys, and (Jiricek) is the same way, he needs time to cycle through players and teams. Time can be a great asset for guys.

“He’s going to be a tremendous player for us. I have no problem with him at all. I know internally we’re extremely happy with him and he’ll continue to grow.”

That's Wild

• What have we learned in the first 11 games of the Quinn Hughes Era in Minnesota? [Hockey Wilderness]
• Unfortunately the Wild couldn't scratch and claw their way back in this one, as they lost 4-2 to the Kings, making their trip to Los Angeles a total of just one point earned out of the possible four. [StarTribune]
• Wild prospect Adam Benak had to settle for the silver medal in the final game of the World Juniors as the pre-tournament favorite Sweden took home the gold. [Sportsnet]

Off the trail...

• The Seattle Kraken continue to be the most volatile team in the NHL. They started out the season very well, hit a massive road bump that sunk them, and then now have points in their last eight games. [NHL.com]
• The Canucks have hired former NHL defenseman Jack Johnson as a scout. [CanucksArmy]
• A little bit of a fun thought exercise: Who wins between the United States' and Canada's B team? [ESPN]