Columbus Blue Jackets Trade 5th Overall Pick David Jiricek: Full Details

PUBLICATION

Chris Gerics
November 30, 2024 (5:26 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

The Columbus Blue Jackets have traded polarizing defenseman David Jiricek to the Minnesota Wild in a big trade on Saturday afternoon.

It was a big shakeup on Saturday as David Jiricek found himself traded to the Minnesota Wild for a package that includes Daemon Hunt, and several draft picks. The trade was announced by Elliotte Friedman on X who often breaks this deals.

This was later confirmed as Jiricek was sent to Minnesota shortly after.

It was a much needed trade for both teams, as Jiricek was having trouble finding a spot in Columbus meanwhile Minnesota gets a chance to upgrade their defense with a young prospect who could break out in a big way.

Full Details of Blue Jackets-Wild Trade

Minnesota Receives:

(D) David Jiricek
2025 5th Round Pick

Columbus Receives:

(D) Daemon Hunt
2025 1st Round Pick
2027 2nd Round Pick
2027 4th Round Pick

Who is David Jiricek?

Jiricek is a 22 year old defenseman who was drafted 6th overall by the Blue Jackets in 2022. He has yet to find a spot on the team and has been subject of trade talks for a little while.

The Czech defenseman still has a lot of time to break out and he was not getting the chance with Columbus. Only averaging 11:12 TOI this season, Jiricek has been playing nearly three minutes less than his career average.

A decent defender with great vision and standing 6'4, Jiricek is an interesting prospect for GM Bill Guerin to see if they can resurrect his career and bring him the success Columbus couldn't.

Including this season Jiricek has 11 points in 53 career games with just 1 assist in 2024-25

Who is Daemon Hunt?

Hunt, a 6'1 offensive defenseman was drafted in the 3rd round by Minnesota in 2020.

He is the same age as Jiricek and the potential to add a better playmaker and defensively sound defenseman. He's only got 13 games under his NHL belt but has one assist so far, and was a standout for the Iowa Wild, and had 29 points a season ago.

Hunt will give GM Don Waddell a new piece to try and build around, as the Jiricek experiment failed and he wanted to see if he could find a potential suitor for Jiricek down the line.

Columbus also receives Minnesota's first-round pick, so they could ideally keep that to draft their next potential piece or be able to flip that if Waddell wants to bring aboard an NHL-ready talent.

FAQ: David Jiricek Traded To Minnesota

Q1: What was the trade between Minnesota and Columbus?

A1: Columbus traded David Jiricek, an underused prospect defenseman for Daemon Hunt, another young defenseman, as well as draft picks being exchanged both ways.

Q2: Why was David Jiricek traded?

A2: David Jiricek was traded because Columbus saw no future for him with their new management and the fact that he was playing less and less signaled that he might be on the way out.

In closing, it's a good deal for both teams as the Blue Jackets get another crack at developing a young defenseman and the Wild get a chance to see if a former Top 10 pick is able to bust out and reach his full potential. It's the first of what is going to be many trades coming up as the season progresses.