It certainly feels like the Blue Jackets are at a crossroads with Jiricek. That’s not to say he’s worthy of bust status or even that he has lost his top-tier prospect status. What we have is a player that seemingly hasn’t improved in his 53 career NHL games. To make matters worse, a public spat last season could be a contributing factor as to why he hasn’t been sent to Cleveland yet.
At 20 years old, Jiricek still has plenty of time to round out his game. Sometimes, he’s too aggressive and leaves his teammates out to dry defensively. Other times, he’s too timid and gives an opponent too much time or space. The good news is that he still has good instincts, and there have been no reports of issues with his attitude or work ethic.
So what’s next? It’s unclear how much he’s learning and progressing under the current plan. He plays every two or three games, attends practices, and eats popcorn in the press box. It’s hard to fathom that trend continuing for the rest of the season if he isn’t able to carve out a permanent spot on the roster. So what are the options?
Cleveland Bound
The first is the most obvious and most likely. Fabbro’s addition and solid play have made it even harder for Jiricek to crack the lineup. He needs to be playing games. The glaringly positive part of this plan is Mateychuk. The two top prospects could spend significant time playing as linemates. It’s possible these two could end up being a defensive pair in Columbus in the near future. Why not start now?
Don’t forget about a professional athlete’s best friend: confidence. A Mateychuk-Jiricek pair would likely scorch the earth (ice) beneath their feet (skates) in the AHL. Let them cook, and then call them both up once Provorov is traded.
Make a Spot
If you aren’t going to send him down, play him. Give him a partner, don’t shelter him, and let him play every night. Let’s face it: this team isn’t going to make the playoffs. Make development a priority and shuffle the lineup a bit.
Werenski-Fabbro
Provorov-Jiricek
Harris-Severson
I understand the intent behind the current plan, but I don’t know what eight minutes and Harris or Jack Johnson as a partner is supposed to do for Jiricek’s development.
Go Shopping
This is my least favorite option, but unfortunately, it’s within the realm of possibility. We know from Waddell’s 2024 draft class and his history in Carolina that he prioritizes skating ability. As of right now, that seems to be Jiricek’s biggest weakness. Also, the explosion of Luca Marrelli in the OHL (currently tied for the league lead in points among defensemen) and the addition of Charlie Elick, both righties with good skating ability, could make parting with the former sixth-overall pick more tolerable.
If this is the course of action, expect the asking price to be exorbitant. This isn’t a sell-low situation. Elliotte Friedman, on the 32 Thoughts podcast, mentioned that many teams are likely keeping an eye on the situation. In return, a top prospect or a top-ten pick in the upcoming draft would add to an existing plethora of assets that Waddell could use next summer.
What do you think? If you could play Blue Jackets GM for a day, how would you handle the Jiricek situation?