NHL Trade Rumors: Potential Frontrunner Named for Blue Jackets' David Jiricek

While some reports came out over the weekend indicating that a David Jiricek trade was coming very soon for the Columbus Blue Jackets, the fact that the former first-rounder played with the AHL's Cleveland Monsters on the weekend seemed to throw cold water on an imminent deal.

Then again, his minor league debut for the current season went so well—a goal, an assist and a plus/minus of +3—it's sparked renewed rumors that many teams are clamoring for the one-time top prospect.

Insider Elliotte Friedman posited on his 32 Thoughts podcast on Monday that the Philadelphia Flyers are a leading contender to be able to satisfy the Blue Jackets' needs in a trade.

(A) team that’s got a lot of young players, but I don’t know how they feel about this, is Philadelphia...
I’m looking at teams who’ve got young players who maybe haven’t popped yet and you could make that kind of a deal.

The Flyers certainly fit that mold. Names like Morgan Frost come immediately to mind. Even Joel Farabee, whose name has been in trade rumors quite a bit, and is still only 24.

Friedman added that the Blue Jackets are indeed looking for another similar young player in return. Jiricek was the 6th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, while Frost was the 27th selection in 2017 and has a 19-goal season under his belt from two years ago, while Farabee was the 14th pick in 2018 and has a couple of 20-goal seasons already.

Jonathan Bailey noted in Philly Hockey Now that the Blue Jackets have had a scout at Flyers game on multiple occasions this season.

Friedman also named another three teams that should be strong bidders for Jiricek, including the Minnesota Wild, Edmonton Oilers and Nashville Predators, the latter two we outlined in a story here.