Wild Considered Frontrunners For David Jiricek

The Minnesota Wild are getting involved in the trade market, it seems.

David Jiricek, the sixth-overall pick just two years ago, is most likely going to be playing on a new team very soon and the Wild are reportedly one of the frontrunners to acquire the young defenseman.

"It's a player of similar stature. A young, top-end pick or prospect or potentially a package of players that the Columbus Blue Jackets and their fanbase can get excited about," Seravalli said on one of Daily Faceoff's live shows Tuesday. "What are the teams that we're talking about that have been in the mix over the last number of days? There seems to be lots of thought at the Minnesota Wild are one of the frontrunners for Jiricek at this point. Not entirely sure what that package would look like."

With the Wild having a whole lot of young talent in the pipeline, a trade could certainly happen and with almost no financial restrictions with trading prospects or players on entry-level deals, it could happen at any time.

What could a trade package look like for Jiricek? The first name we obviously think of is Marco Rossi. The centerman does not appear to be in the Wild's favor and with centers like Danila Yurov coming by the end of the season, the team might be looking at him as a tradeable asset to get a younger player that could really change the dynamic of the team.

Does Jiricek make sense though? As a right-handed defenseman, he would obviously be playing under Brock Faber, and does acquiring another young blueliner mean Jared Spurgeon in a limited role? It certainly feels like it makes the blue line more messy, but the talent is undeniable.

That's Wild

• Bill Guerin is looking extremely correct about predicting Matt Boldy to be a superstar. [Hockey Wilderness]
• A quick little prospect report, focusing on defenseman David Spacek: [NHL.com]

Off the trail...

• David Jiricek isn't the only European right-handed defenseman that is in trade rumors. Philadelphia Flyers blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen is apparently getting plenty of interest from around the league. [BSH]
• A super quick look around the NHL the past week. From coaching drama to whatever is going on in Vancouver. [Yahoo Sports]