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  • Wild Considered Frontrunners For David Jiricek


    Image courtesy of © Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
    Thomas Williams

    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]

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    3 different coaches have sent Jiricek back to the minors.  Haven't seen him play but I have to think that he is making untimely mistakes to have that happen.  Doesn't sound like his value is equal to a player like Rossi.  Probably just a matter of time before Jiricek is a mainstay in the lineup though and at 6' 3'' I would imagine he will be highly coveted.  If I am BG I would be careful about giving up too much.  Maybe Chisholm and an AHL forward.  I doubt that is enough.  Let a different team pay too much for him.

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    If other teams offers are anything like Farabee or Frost, or McGroaty, I'd say let other teams do it.  That would probably mean pawning off Rossi, who is too much for a "big guy with potential NHL upside."  Rossi already has proven NHL upside.  There's a big difference.  We saw that with players like Heidt.  You can be world beaters all you want in lower levels, but the NHL is just a complete beast.

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    53 NHL games 11 points and a minus ten. A serious knee injury that kept him out for three months two years ago.  Yes he's young and big and has potential but as I said earlier we have a boat load of potential right now. Guerin should keep his powder dry here unless he can steal him. Giving up Rossi for him would be the blunder of the ages. 

    Edited by MacGyver
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    11 minutes ago, MacGyver said:

    Giving up Rossi for him would be the blunder of the ages. 

    Agree.  Giving up hunt+ 2nd tier prospect (bankier) is ceiling for this project. 
    anything higher and it’s fair to question the choice

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    I like Jiricek and he brings something to the organization that we do not have: Size on the right side. 

    Pewter's offer here is about market value. I can't imagine anyone else offering more than futures and prospects. Just like Laine, his market stock is low, and we should be buying low not high.

    Rossi is not the guy to deal in this scenario at this time. Rossi might be what Waddell is asking for, but he's got to be thinking there's no way. Jiricek would be groomed for Spurgeon's 2nd pairing. Having a partner like Brodin can help overcome a lot of errors, and help him with the defensive side. But, Jiricek is not ready yet.

    The last time I saw Jiricek play was in the WJCs with Spacek. For the team, they were virtually the same, Jiricek was obviously bigger. I would encourage the Wild to get him into the fold and be straight with him. Fix the flaws, give him a cup of coffee, work with him hard, these guys don't grow on trees. 

    For reference, I was thinking Heidt + Bankier might get it done. I suspect we will be happy with a great return for Heidt that will be ready sooner than Heidt will be. Hunt + Bankier might even be a better deal. 

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    Re-looking at these comments, our group is pretty good with the analysis and future-prediction.

    Given the Wild's window and current prospects, Guerin opted for a heavier cost on paper, but in reality the price was offset by timing of future picks. The current group stays exactly the same minus one guy who deserved an NHL opportunity but wasn't finding it here.

    The Wild keep all their forward prospects so the payout for a former 6th overall big-man is essentially stuff we weren't really using.

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