Breaking Trade: David Jiricek Finds A New Home With Contender

CHANGE HEADLINE

It was only a matter of time.

The Columbus Blue Jackets made it clear that they were ready to move on from the No. 6 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. A number of teams were anxious to get their hands on defenseman David Jiricek, and we now have a winner in the Jiricek sweepstakes as he goes to the Minnesota Wild.

David Jiricek trade is being finalized with Minnesota
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) November 30, 2024

As noted by Insider Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, with Brock Faber, the Wild "might have the top young right side of any blue line in the NHL."

The 6'4" puck mover had three points in his four games since being sent down to the AHL over a week ago.

Trade details, per sources:

To #mnwild: David Jiricek, 5th Rd Pick
To #CBJ: Damon Hunt, 2025 1st Rd Pick, 2027 2nd Rd Pick, 4th Rd Pick
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) November 30, 2024

In return, Columbus receives 22-year-old youngster Daemon Hunt, a 2025 first-round pick, a 2027 second-round pick and fourth-round pick.

Hunt is a left-shot D-man, a depth piece, who has only played 13 NHL games over the past couple of seasons. He did record 29 points in 51 games with the Iowa Wild in the AHL last season.

But the draft haul is the centerpiece of this trade for the Blue Jackets.

For the Wild, who are building something pretty special this season, they add a 21-year-old talented prospect who hasn't really been given a chance to find his footing in the NHL, as he managed to get into just six games this season in Columbus, and 43 games last year. He was demoted to the AHL last season as well, where he spent 29 games, compiling 19 points, then having a nice run in the AHL playoffs with 11 points in 14 games with Cleveland.

He has a world of potential, with the size, at 6'4", 200 pounds, and the draft pedigree to have a big impact in the NHL.

Minnesota, going into Saturday's games, had the second-best record in the entire NHL, at 15-4-4.