Blue Jackets Make Big Move With David Jiricek

The troubles have continued for former No. 6 overall pick David Jiricek and his inability to crack the lineup with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He'd only gotten into six games so far this season, in very limited time on ice. Now, he'll have to find his form in the American Hockey League once again, as he's been sent packing to the Cleveland Monsters.

ROSTER UPDATE 🚨

We’ve loaned defenseman David Jiricek and forward Mikael Pyyhtia to @monstershockey.

📝 https://t.co/seOw7I1Hdh @RuoffMortgage | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/5WqtlEkEiG
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 20, 2024

We shared last week that Jiricek had become a trade candidate, but now he'll have to be rescued from the AHL to make that happen.

Insider Elliotte Friedman had noted that “there were rocky waters between player and organization last season,” and obviously nothing has changed under the new regime of GM Don Waddell and head coach Dean Evason. Aaron Portzline has confirmed in The Athletic, "The situation with Jiricek, who turns 21 in eight days, has been percolating (mostly) behind the scenes for a couple of seasons."

Evason has noted that there are "on-ice trust issues" between Jiricek and the coaching staff.

Now, with the Jackets on the verge of activating winger Kent Johnson from injured reserve, something had to give, roster-wise.

Jiricek and forward Mikael Pyyhtia have both been demoted.

The writing has been on the wall for Jiricek ever since they claimed veteran right-shot D-man Dante Fabbro off waivers a couple of weeks back.

It's an even more intriguing situation because Waddell had already stated that Jiricek "has little to gain by playing more games in the AHL". He has 98 of those under his belt already, playing 29 there last season and registering 19 points with a plus/minus rating of -16.

We'll have to keep an eye on what happens next with Jiricek, and see if another team around the league wants to take a shot at rejuvenating the high-end draft pick.