In today’s rendition of ’Blue Jackets Sunday Gathering’, reporter Aaron Portzline of The Athletic confirms that the Columbus Blue Jackets have received trade inquiries for defenseman David Jiříček. The Blue Jackets haven’t received any firm trade offers but a deal may be on the horizon by the end of the season.
Although it’s always difficult trading away a recent top-10 draft selection, there are recent frameworks Columbus can operate from. Portzline highlights the trade last season of then-Philadelphia Flyers prospect, Cutter Gauthier, being traded to the Anaheim Ducks for Jamie Drysdale and a second-round pick in 2025. Portzline also shared the recent trade of Rutger McGroarty to the Pittsburgh Penguins this offseason for Brayden Yager.
For one reason or another, Jiříček’s time with the Blue Jackets organization hasn’t worked out as both sides would have hoped. He spent his first professional season with Columbus’ AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, scoring six goals and 38 points in 55 contests.
Jiříček hoped to have a consistent role with the Blue Jackets in his second professional season after a strong rookie campaign in the AHL. Instead, Columbus frequently moved Jiříček back and forth from the AHL, which caused some inconsistency in the young defenseman’s game.
He scored one goal and 10 points in 43 games for Columbus last season and seven goals and 19 points in 29 games for AHL Cleveland. His lack of scoring at the NHL level was unfortunate but he still proved capable on the defensive side with a 92.4% on-ice save percentage in all situations.
Jiříček became a healthy scratch through the first few weeks of the 2024-25 season collecting only six games with the Blue Jackets despite cracking the team’s roster out of training camp. The team sent down Jiříček to AHL once again a few days ago and he made his season debut with the AHL Monsters on Saturday.
One difference comparing Jiříček to Gauthier and McGroarty is that he hasn’t publicly requested a trade from Columbus. All signs indicate he’s happy staying with the Blue Jackets organization albeit with a more consistent role.
They’ll likely recoup a former top-10 selection on his entry-level contract should they trade Jiříček this season. There shouldn’t be any difficulties gauging other team’s interest in a 20-year-old right-handed shot defenseman.
Drysdale plus top goalie prospect should work
Zavragin should be untouchable unless for a C1.
Man I would hope and pray that would get it done. I as a Flyers fan am done with Drysdale!!!! He is the Defenseman equivalent of Robby Fabbri. The guy sneezes and gets injured.
Yeah you can keep Drysdale. Why do y’all always think we are just gonna take turd burgers.
Buffalo, let’s trade some of our prospects, like Rosen/Ostlund + smth else. Maybe +Johnson.
If David could figure it out buffalos D would be set for a long time and be REALLY good
They took Steve Mears. Maybe they’ll want a deal involving McGroarty.
You never know.
Jiricek isn’t getting a more consistent role on the Jackets until he proves he not a defensive liability.
No matter where he goes he’s not going to just jump back in and take over.
He’s fine on the puck. Once he dishes it he’s lost out there.
AHL is where he belongs. They’ve sat him down and talk to him multiple times. Showed him videos of his mistakes. Explained to him what we need and he’s just not doing it right now.