David Jiricek’s last two seasons have been tumultuous at best within the Columbus Blue Jackets organization. There is a growing belief he will eventually be traded out of Columbus and now the club has loaned him to the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters.

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Jiricek has appeared in just six games so far this season with Columbus and has seen his ice time dwindle in more recent appearances. He has just one assist so far.

Selected sixth overall in 2022, Jiricek’s status as a top defensive prospect has slipped in recent years. He has shown an ability to play at a high level in the AHL with Cleveland, with 57 points in 84 career games. He also had 11 points in 14 Calder Cup Playoffs games last season as Cleveland went on a deep run to the Eastern Conference Finals. 

A true two-way defenseman, Jiricek’s game hasn’t yet translated to the NHL. He has 11 points in 53 career games with the Jackets, 43 of which came last season as it looked like he was trending towards being a full-timer with the big club.

Reports have circulated in recent weeks that Jiricek could be traded soon.

The one thing that is for sure is that Jiricek needs to play. He’s only 20 years old and has plenty of opportunity to reach the high ceiling so many saw in his draft year. The big right-shot blueliner still has runway to find his game.

By sending him to Cleveland, the Blue Jackets can accomplish a couple of things. They can get their young prospect back on track, playing in a league where he has had some success in recent years. That could allow him to return to Columbus later and contribute or it could showcase him a bit more for potential suitors.

Should Columbus trade the young blueliner, they’d like be selling somewhat low on a talent with plenty of potential given that it hasn’t quite worked for him in the NHL yet. However, if Jiricek can go back to the AHL, put up the points he’s capable of, shine in the minutes he’s given and put the work in to prove he belongs in the NHL, it only helps the young player’s career whether it’s in Columbus or elsewhere.

One of the Blue Jackets' other top prospects, Denton Mateychuk, has been thriving in Cleveland this year. He was just named AHL Player of the Week after a seven-point showing over his last four games. Perhaps getting some time on the ice with Mateychuk and getting familiar with a potential future D partner could reignite things a little for Jiricek. 

The Monsters are currently on a six-game winning streak and are second in the North Division, trailing only the Laval Rocket.

Forward Mikael Pyythia was also sent to the Monsters Wednesday morning.

Cleveland is back in action Saturday against the Milwaukee Admirals. That game is FloHockey's Free streaming AHL Game of the Week.

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