After weeks of speculation, David Jiricek is officially on the move, as the right-shot defenseman was dealt to the Minnesota Wild late Saturday afternoon.

Jiricek and a fifth-round pick (2025) head to Minnesota while Columbus receives Daemon Hunt and a quartet of draft picks – including Minnesota’s 2025 first-round selection. The teams made the trade official just after 4:40 p.m. CDT.

Jiricek was the sixth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft and has since been considered one of the Blue Jackets’ top prospects. The 21-year-old starred for Czechia at the 2023 WJC and has played in 53 NHL games, including six this season.

However, he was sent back to the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters last week – where he spent much of the past two seasons.

Jiricek already had a pair of goals and an assist with the Monsters, and 60 points (15-45-60) over 88 career AHL games. Along with 14 games and 11 points (3-8-11) during the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs. Jiricek also has 168 shots and 59 career penalty minutes in the AHL.

Fixy ties it, Jiri wins it 😏 pic.twitter.com/n4kxzLdNBG

— Cleveland ❌onsters (@monstershockey) November 24, 2024

At 6-foot-4 and 204 pounds, his size and shot have never been in question. But Jiricek’s skating has always been his biggest knock, and he’ll likely remain in the AHL with Iowa. At least to start his tenure with the Wild organization.

While there’s some uncertainty on how Jiricek will factor in immediately, it’s a move that bodes well for Minnesota’s future, especially as 35-year-old captain Jared Spurgeon has just two years remaining on his contract. Spurgeon was limited to 16 games last season too, along with some lingering injury issues earlier this season.

The Wild signed Brock Faber to an eight-year extension this past July and signed Jake Middleton to a four-year extension just three weeks prior. Jonas Brodin is signed through the 2027-28 season as well, while Zeev Buium is waiting on the not-too-distant horizon.

Buium is currently a sophomore at Denver and was Minnesota’s 2024 first-round pick (12th overall). And a potential top-four of Brodin, Faber, Buium and Jiricek has to excite Wild fans.

As for the return in Columbus, Hunt offers an NHL-ready, left-shot defenseman. The Manitoba native made his NHL debut last season and played in 12 games, along with one last month in St. Louis.

However, he’s been buried on a Wild blue line that has performed well this season. Hunt was originally a third-round pick (2020) and has played 125 games over four AHL seasons. He has 45 career points (6-39-45) with Iowa, including four assists this season. Hunt will also remain in the AHL with Cleveland.

For everything you have done for the Iowa Wild, thank you Huntsy💚 Best of luck in your next chapter @daemonhunt_!#ItStartsInDSM pic.twitter.com/nDxZ5k6leb

— Iowa Wild (@IAWild) December 1, 2024

Hunt is accompanied by first-round (2025), second-round (2027), third-round (2026) and fourth-round (2026) picks in the deal.

The first-rounder is top-five protected and would be pushed back to 2026 if the Wild were to pick in the top five next summer.

How To Watch The AHL On FloHockey 

The AHL is streaming on FloHockey and the FloSports app. Live games, replays, highlights and breaking news will be on both platforms. 

NHL Prospect Coverage On FloHockey

The best and most complete coverage of the NHL minor league hockey and NHL Draft news is found on FloHockey. Don't miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.

Watch ECHL, USHL, AHL And More On FloHockey

FloHockey is the streaming home to some of the best hockey leagues in North America, including the ECHL and more. Check out the broadcast schedule to watch more hockey.

Join The Hockey Conversation On FloHockey Social

• Follow us on Twitter @FloHockey
• Follow us on Instagram @flohockey
• Follow us on TikTok @flohockeytv
• Watch us on YouTube
• Like us on Facebook