Former Columbus Blue Jackets blue liner David Jiricek is in a situation he is all too familiar with. He has been a healthy scratch for the last nine games for his new team, the Minnesota Wild.
The 21-year-old has missed the last nine games while his team is in the thick of a playoff race, which shows that he may not have been ready for the NHL regardless of which team he was with.
Now is a good time to look back on the trade that sent him to the Wild, which took place only four months ago, back in November.
Sean Monahan Back Soon? Sean Monahan, who was injured back on January 7th against the Pittsburgh Penguins, practiced with the main group today at Nationwide Arena. Does this indicate his return is close?
The Wild sent Daemon Hunt, a first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, third- and fourth-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft, and a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft to the Blue Jackets for Jiricek and a fifth-round pick in 2025.
This was very tidy work by Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell, who was able to trade a defenseman who may not reach his potential for another young player in Hunt and four draft picks that will help restock talent at the AHL level.
It’ll be interesting to see how long the healthy scratch streak lasts and if the organization will think about sending him down to the AHL again this season or keep him sitting in the press box for the last stretch of games.
Blue Jackets Weekly Injury Report: Week 22The NHL season is winding down, but injuries are piling up across the league. For the Columbus Blue Jackets, they have 16 games left in the season, but unlike most teams, they’re getting players back from injury.
1st Annual Gaudreau Family 5K Run/Walk & Family Day Set For May 31st In New JerseyOn May 31st, the 1st annual Gaudreau Family 5K Run/Walk & Family Day will occur in Washington Lake Park, Sewell, NJ. If you’re in Columbus, Calgary, or anywhere else in North America and would like to participate, you’ll be able to do just that by completing a virtual 5k.
Read the full article here