While the Philadelphia Flyers might have too many chefs in the kitchen when it comes to their defensive corps, if a young and right-handed shooting defenseman were to become available, they should do whatever it takes to at least inquire and make some inroads on a deal.
That right-handed shooting defenseman could be David Jiříček, who is reportedly on the trade block and the Columbus Blue Jackets seem to be taking inquiries on the former first-round pick.
Ahead of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, the top-5 more or less had Shane Wright, Juraj Slafkovský, Logan Cooley, Šimon Nemec, and Jiříček. Up until the final week leading into the draft, things started to shift dramatically and Cutter Gauthier entered the ring as a top-5 pick.
Slafkovský went first to Montreal, Nemec went second to New Jersey, Cooley went third to Arizona, Wright dropped to fourth to Seattle, and the Flyers selected Gauthier fifth, which allowed Jiříček to fall into Columbus’ lap at six.
Many implored the Flyers to draft the right-handed defenseman before and after the updated rankings came out but instead they opted for the rising Gauthier, which at the time seemed like a slam dunk. Unfortunately, Gauthier forced his way out and the Flyers traded him to Anaheim for a 2nd-round pick and Jamie Drysdale.
“One man’s trash is another’s man treasure” is an apt saying for this scenario, because while Jiříček has struggled to make real progress with the Blue Jackets, he could always rediscover his form with another club. Sam Bennett is a perfect example after he floundered in Calgary but flourished in Florida, considering he was a 4th round pick in his draft year.
On Wednesday, Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell sent the defenseman back to the AHL but did have plenty of complimentary things to say about the Czech-national.
While the 20-year-old has not made a formal trade request, where there’s smoke there’s fire, and he has been unhappy for quite some time.
While playing in the top-league in the Czech circuit, Jiříček recorded 5 goals and 11 points in just 29 games in 2021-22 before being drafted 6th overall. He reported directly to North America in 2022-23 and played in 55 contests for the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL, where he tallied 6 goals and 38 points. He also appeared in 4 games at the NHL level.
The following year, Jiříček accumulated 19 points in 29 games with the Monsters as well as 10 points in 43 games for the Blue Jackets in what was his first real taste of the National Hockey League.
This year has been topsy-turvy for the 6’4”, 204-pound defenseman, as he’s only suited up in 6 games for Columbus and has been a healthy scratch plenty of times, and was just sent back down to the minors.
The Blue Jackets, who one would imagine are in the midst of a rebuild, have a lot of veterans on the back-end in Zach Werenski, Ivan Provorov, Damon Severson, and newly-added Dante Fabbro. Jordan Harris, who was acquired in their trade with Montréal that involved Patrik Laine, has seen regular ice-time as has Jake Christiansen. Jack Johnson also featured in 14 contests before the arrival of Fabbro.
Harris features as the youngest defenseman at the age of 24, which makes you wonder if they plan on moving on from Jiříček, who by far has more potential and better standing than some of his counterparts.
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic cited that Waddell is getting trade calls but he isn’t in a rush to get a trade done. However, Jiříček hasn’t been overly pleased with his usage, especially last season. With less games under his belt this year, at least to start, one would have imagine if the pot is about to boil over.
The Jackets have been clamouring for more offense and would like to add a centre and if the Flyers were willing and able dance partners, Morgan Frost could be the perfect trade piece.
It is no secret that the former 2017 first-round pick has struggled in his time with the Flyers. He has once again found himself regularly in the press box despite the Flyers being rail-thin down the middle, and with another contract year on the table, the clock is assuredly ticking on the 25-year-old. His name has recently popped up in rumors as well. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman mentioned him in his latest 32 Thoughts article.
“Player-team that seem a match: Morgan Frost and Chicago. Frost didn’t play Wednesday against Carolina, the fourth game of the last five he’s watched from the press box. He’s not a complainer, prefers to keep any displeasure behind closed doors, but players want to play. Obviously, any dance needs partners who deal, but the Blackhawks, in dire need of centres, are one team that makes sense for him.” – Elliotte Friedman, 11/21/24
While the Flyers have been rather content with most of their defensemen this year, adding Jiříček to the pool would make things a whole lot better. Travis Sanheim and Cam York will be stapled at the top of the hierarchy for the foreseeable future. After them, we go to Emil Andrae, Jamie Drysdale, Nick Seeler, and Egor Zamula.
Rasmus Ristolainen has drawn a lot of interest with his improved play, Erik Johnson is on a one-year contract, and the Flyers don’t seem too enthused with Drysdale or Zamula at this moment in time, which could give way to an acquisition like Jiříček.
It remains to be seen if Waddell bites on the 20-year-old, but if he remains in the minors for the foreseeable future, trade rumours will continue to spike. If that is the case, then the Flyers should be all over this situation and add a young, right-handed shooting defensive prospect to their queue.
