David Jiricek is a name to watch in Minnesota Wild circles.
Jiricek, the sixth overall pick in the 2022 NHL draft, is on the trade market and NHL insider Frank Seravalli believes the Wild are in the mix to acquire him from the Columbus Blue Jackets.
What would the Blue Jackets want from Minnesota for the 20-year-old defenseman?
"It's a player of similar stature. A young, top-end pick or prospect or potentially a package of players that the Columbus Blue Jackets and their fanbase can get excited about," Seravalli said Tuesday on Daily Faceoff. "What are the teams that we're talking about that have been in the mix over the last number of days? There seems to be lots of thought at the Minnesota Wild are one of the frontrunners for Jiricek at this point. Not entirely sure what that package would look like."
Seravalli said the Wild, Flyers and Penguins appear to be the top contenders for Jiricek, though he also mentioned the Sharks and Sabres.
Jiricek, who turns 20 on Thanksgiving Day, is a tank. He's 6-foot-4 and more than 200 pounds. In addition to elite defensive skills, he also has 14 goals and 45 assists in 86 games in the American Hockey League. He has 53 games of NHL experience but has just 11 points in those opportunities.
Michael Russo, who is in on all Wild rumors as the team's longtime beat reporter, has opined that Minnesota should not trade young center Marco Rossi for Jiricek.
"I’d consider any prospect but (Danil) Yurov, (Jesper) Wallstedt, (Zeev) Buium," Russo posted on X Tuesday, noting that a right shot defenseman like Jiricek would be a huge plus next to Buium in the future.
Buium is Minnesota's 18-year-old defenseman prospect who starts in college for the Denver Pioneers.
