Minnesota Wild acquire David Jiricek from Columbus Blue Jackets

[@dajuice7030]

Man this trade is very exciting and exactly what our prospects pool needed. A top 4 with Jiricek, Buium, and Faber and Middleton is nuts. Then you have the captain and Brodin still. We really didn’t need to give up anything too. No Rossi or any of our top prospects. I liked Hunt a lot but we have so many smaller defensemen in our system. If we need to make another trade we still have the prospect pool to make it work.

[@Carl_Black]

Super solid blue line youth movment. Love it looking forward. Hope the trade pays off. Huge upside.

[@TehDFC]

The Wild aren't exactly cranking out the defensive prospects themselves-so trading for one that fits their needs I'm all for.

[@cjnelson669]

I mean we got Lambos and Buium on the come up but other then that yea but I fw this trade heavy very good decision and haul overall

[@samweller96]

Daemon Hunt would have been good for the wild, if the D-core wasn't already solidified.

[@evannovitzke]

Love this trade, this guy loves to win

[@bafriesen]

Avalanche fan here, interested to hear about the new dman for the enemy. I'm very jealous of what I'm hearing. Y'all have sizeable true defenders and will stop pucks going in your net. People love the Avs dcore bc of all the scoring (points aren't defense) but when that doesn't work they can easily get bullied especially net front by bigger forwards and cycled on. The Avs GM has turned the blue line into offense only, ultra small puck passers. Despite my hate for Minnesota I do applaud your GM for turning the Dcore into more than a bunch of Jared Spurgeons like Avs GM.

[@debr4265]

Manson and toews are physical enough, even makar can play that style

[@bafriesen]

@@debr4265 I imagine a Wild fan doesn't watch the Avs every night like I do. I can promise you they're don't play that style enough. Manson is the only guy providing any "fuck you" attitude and right now he's out with injury. Makar has softened considerably (he only had 37 hits all season last year) and is more interested in offense. Makar and Toews as a pair have looked just as defensively sloppy as some 3rd pairings. Not to mention the last two playoff appearances they've shit the bed defensively against Seattle and Dallas. If they don't outscore their defensive problems they're toast. I would take the blend of defensive toughness, size and skill of MIN, VGK and VAN defenses over my own team's all day.

[@debr4265]

@@bafriesen i get your point but they are still elite and proved they can win a cup. They will probably add some d at the deadline

[@smnbrgss]

Even before this trade & Wallsted the Wild currently have the fewest allowed goals

[@patrickmeister44]

6 '4 defensemen....music to my ears

[@smnbrgss]

Another big rig to protect our Russian sports car

[@1017_CK]

Hynes gets credit for keeping the guys on track. Evason showed alot more emotion. Hynes is subdued and stoic, team takes after coaches personality

[@josefloidl3404]

I believe its a great trade: no negative impact on current line up and in return youth and quality for our defense

[@williamyoungs5541]

Billy G is at least finally attempting to address the playoff deficiencies that the Wild have shown in recent years. If his chemistry fits, this fixes the Wild’s #2 playoff issue: undersized defensemen getting manhandled in the playoffs. He should be able to go toe to toe with most anyone. They already addressed the abysmal coaching by firing Evason, now if the top 6 doesn’t disappear in scoring, they may actually make a playoff run!

[@Malkil75]

This is a fun blue line already, look out now -- love the move.

[@evannovitzke]

Brodin Faber Buium Jiricek Middleton Bogosian Spurgeon We’re going to be stacked

[@urban_89]

If the season ended today presidents trophy minnesota wild. Great trade i absolutely love it both ways. Room for a huge add at the deadline for an elite scorer. Defense is set for the near future and beyond.

[@PuckDropCards]

I think it would still be the Jets since they hold the tie-breaker with the Wild.

[@urban_89]

@PuckDropCards wild have a game at hand

[@smnbrgss]

Idk if I’d want them to get the presidents trophy, the whole curse seems pretty real

[@PuckDropCards]

@@smnbrgss Agree - that trophy is cursed. Perhaps 1st in the West would be good.

[@travzimmerman1340]

Only 57 games to go 😂

[@jakublovas7224]

If you want to pronounce David's name the Czech way, the a is short - it's David, not "Dávid". Source: jsem Čech. Anyway, I love this trade. In the Wild, Jiříček doesn't have the pressure to become the top defender on him. With Faber taking on most of the defensive responsibilities, I believe Jiříček can thrive on the second pair and on the powerplay, starting next season. One thing I think many people saying we've overpaid for a defenseman "not able to crack the Blue Jackets roster" forget that the Columbus head coach is Dean Evason. We all know Deano, he will play a veteran grinder over a youngster with promise 11 times out of 10. He's a great character, but a terrible coach for developing young players. The way I see it, we've acquired a bona-fide top 4 defender for the next decade in exchange for a depth defenseman, a late pick in the first round of a weak draft, a 50/50 chance on an NHL player (the 2nd rounder) and a handful of magic beans. I take it any day of the week. I mean, come on. Faber - Jiříček - Špaček(?) as the right side of our defense, after Spurgy calls it a career?

[@hella_hels]

Regardless of the picks sent this ain’t all on BillyG, have faith Jiricek was probably on Judd Brackett’s board higher than Öhgren

[@jmoomoomoo]

Knowing that Judd still believes in the kid and Andy Ness will be helping with his skating gives me a lot more comfort with this acquisition.

[@kaprizovtolizardtokaprizov]

Russo found out he was 5th

[@TBrettzky13]

This trade makes me nervous as a Wild fan

[@monkeybuisness5275]

​@@MD76MACironically enough some of that statement applies to our former HC and your guys' new one.

[@MD76MAC]

@@monkeybuisness5275 it's on Jiricek. He was shown on tape what he is lacking. Was asked to get better and chose not to. Was told to go to Cleveland and apparently threw a temper tantrum because his ego won't allow him to be demoted. Good luck getting him to grow up. It was worth it to get his cancer out of our locker room. We have a a whole bunch of D-men coming up the pipe. Jiriceks upside is not worth his down side.

[@bradleyschneider3871]

If we would not have made the trade our no 1 pick probably wouldn't start for three years! We're good right now + gotta resign dollar bill,keep him happy

[@PuckDropCards]

Agree - I'm nervous as well. I just keep thinking back on the Vikings Hershel Walker trade. IMHO, they gave up too many picks. I could see a total of 2 picks, but 4???? Hopefully it works out well

[@jasonhouck5641]

​@@MD76MAC A boat load? Two of those picks were acquired by trading away guys on the way out, specifically for future trades like this. And Hunt had no place to play. Didn't have to include any of the top prospects, or Rossi and any other veterans. We gave up shit for a guy who just turned 21 and fills a specific NEED who has plenty of room to grow in a vastly superior organization, while learning under some of the best blue liners in the NHL. This is a great deal for Minnesota, and the exact type of trade a contending team about to enter a five year contending window should make.

[@assrammington7961]

Wild fans should be prepared for just how bad this guy is defensively and skating wise up against NHL players. I’m a Wild fan btw. But I’ve watched his scouting videos. He’s sub Merrill when it comes to skating and D talent. He’s a long term project for sure

[@1017_CK]

National media members are putting Kaprizov in the hart trophy race now, thats how you know its real

[@stelter3245]

Yeah, yeah. Kaprizov is great - probably the best player in the NHL. That's old news. You know what's more impressive: Johanson turned the puck over 3 times in the same shift. You know how hard that is and he gets no mention?

[@jeffhaines45]

Need a little more scoring anyone agree?? Some size up front too

[@bigticket7644]

I like the trade, but AJ, all reports I've heard - he needs to work on his skating & doesn't move very well. Please advise.

[@samlowrey63]

I heard they treated Jiricek like the Wild is treating Wallstedt........telling him to get a place in Minnesota, and then in the limited times he did get called up to the big club, they'd put him on the 4th line or healthy scratch him. Speaking of Wallstedt.......?

[@xBakesale]

Go watch the Locked on Wild episode from last night. They had the locked on Columbus guy on and he said something similar. They would call him up for a road game, he would fly across country and then healthy scratch him. This kinda thing happened multiple times. So he got inconsistant play and practice time with the Blue Jackets and their AHL team. There is also an interview with Wallstedt on the Sota Pod from 12 days ago where Wallstedt explain and accepts that the wild cap space is hindering his ability to be called up and he understands.

[@bestbakana24]

Unless you're willing to cut or trade Flower, he's not being called up. You aren't carrying 3 goalies and Gus Bus is leading the league in save percentage and goal against avg. I agree prior to this season he's been handled very questionably but this season there's nothing to be done really

[@BL41679]

I KNOW THIS MEANS NOTHING BUT AS OF 12/2/2024 THE WILD ARE RANKED #1 IN THE NHL!!!!!!

[@smnbrgss]

Love to see they’re #1 in points, goals against, and goalie goals

[@patbryant682]

The question for the Wild becomes, where are you going to play all of: Faber, Buium, Jiricek, Brodin, Middleton, and perhaps Chisholm or Lambos. Except for maybe Chisholm, all of those players are good enough they should/must command a top 2 lines member TOI (very very likely for Lambos). You can never have too many prospects but you can have too many players for your roster spots. Outside Jiricek and Lambos, none of those players are prospects, they are proven. This discounts Spurgeon because likely by the time Jiricek is ready Spurgeon is at the end of his contract so even considering that, you have too many actual NHL defensemen. Are they planning on trading Middleton? He's their best D-man this year. They are NOT planning on trading Faber or Buium. What it also creates is a cap problem, too much money dedicated to 6 D men. I love getting a top O-capable D-man, I just don't know where they can play him or how they can afford to pay him unless they move Middleton or Brodin.

[@STHickey]

Absolutely had to make this trade. Spurgeon, Brodin, Begosian all in their 30s. No real size amongst your Defensive prospects. Faber, Bynum and Jiricek looks pretty good going forward. He might not pan out, but there's no way you're getting a prospect like him drafting late in the first round.

[@RicardoMedeiroscourtier]

Where do you rank Jiricek with Habs Right defense? Justin Baron Logan Mailloux Reinbacher

[@MockwithMach]

Brent Burns & Brent Seabrook Vibes.

[@michaelcurtis-xq4rz]

Has anyone posting here ever seen him skate...might want to slow your roll here...for a first??????

[@travzimmerman1340]

No, they haven't. They see 6'4" and 1st rd pick and think he's elite when in reality sometimes GMs just make horseshit picks.

[@michaelcurtis-xq4rz]

@travzimmerman1340 I don't mind taking a swing with him....I think he OVERPAID BY A TON...

[@fjb1fjb]

Gave up too much for a dream, need forward help

[@kurtseurer7009]

This guy actually doesn’t skate well. I don’t know what that guy is talking about. Put him in Iowa this year and try to get work on his skating. Maybe he gets called up if there is an injury.

[@smnbrgss]

That’s probably the plan

[@dieknowmight1]

'He moves well' no he doesnt blud

[@toddsutton5672]

football analogies and im gone

[@toddsutton5672]

that you aj, lol

[@kootybear]

Dont like the trade. Its sad just how bad MN mens pro teams and their terrible GM decisions. From resigning Rudy in the Twolves, to resigning Kirk and now this trade. Alot of draft picks for a player that the Blue Jackets believe is not worth it. Terrible decisions. This is a prime example of why no MN mens pro team will ever win a championship. 91 was the last year we will have one. Its not negative nancy moments, just reality.

[@kaprizovtolizardtokaprizov]

I love you AJ but it is not "assistant" captain. It is alternate, my man.

[@DJWillyGMPLS]

2 year project, not sure he has the mental tools

[@smnbrgss]

In 2 years we’ll be free and clear of the cap hell

[@MrTherater1]

BILL GUAREIN IS THE GOAT. Nice trade. Im sure travzimmerman1340 will disagree

[@nicholasmarshall8430]

I thought he was terrible at his job?

[@MrTherater1]

BILLY G is the goat most of these toxic podcasts are filled with clowns that don't know what being apart of a team actually is. BILLY G also takes care of his players on ice. Disclaimer to any wild players that happen to read this. Don't listen to the media keep playing your game don't talk to the media stay on your game keep improving your mind and game every day. ​@nicholasmarshall8430

[@Herrlorddonkoenigczar]

Over pay

[@drow04]

It's only an overpay because draft picks are overvalued compared to how they turn out. In addition, they traded 2 picks they acquired from other trades. They gave up a mid to late 1st and 2027 2nd who is currently 15 years old!!!!!

[@Herrlorddonkoenigczar]

@ The fact still remains. Half the league was interested, several of those had serious offers, thus Minny had to over pay to obtain him. Over payed and it likely won’t turn out. It didn’t in Columbus and likely won’t in Minny. But good luck to ya, I do like the player, good specimen on paper, but on ice it paints a different picture

[@ipodo36]

Oh thought all those draft picks were for a starter to quote protect Kaprizov = nope. Oh Guerin what next and yes I'd compare it to Gobert trade but 💩 at least he's playing. But congrats to Columbus having 27 picks in the next 3 years 👏🏻. Back to this non exciting Vikings game.

[@jasonhouck5641]

Lol, idiot. What player or pick in Thai Gobert trade are we missing clown? We still moved into the to ten for Dillingham despite trading picks. None of the players we traded are doing ANYTHING. And, oh yeah, Gobert won defensive player of the year. Dumbest comp I've ever seen in my life. 😅

[@JohnSmith-fk7sv]

Why did Columbus not want him??

[@alyssapowell1799]

Skating and attitude issues. He thought he belonged in Columbus and rumors was he wasn't listening to the coaches in Cleveland and didn't want to be in the AHL. He liked to cherry pick and ignore playing defense. There was no way he could stay in Columbus and he wasn't going to work out in Cleveland. He played in the AHL as a 18 year old rather than going to the CHL and playing junior hockey so he's been playing pro for three years now and doesn't want to be sent down. But he was beat out in training camp by other defensemen and hasn't progressed. His transitions and pivoting are just not at an NHL level and other teams know it and target him since he's so easy to beat. He looked absolutely horrible in pre-season like he didn't want to even be there.

[@JohnSmith-fk7sv]

@alyssapowell1799 thats not a good report!! Wow