Blue Jackets fuel trade speculation by sending prospect David Jiricek to minors

COLUMBUS, Ohio The Columbus Blue Jackets made a move on Wednesday that was beginning to feel inevitable, maybe even overdue .

Defenseman David Jiricek, the Jackets No.

6 overall draft pick in 2022, was sent to AHL Cleveland to play heavy minutes, rebuild his confidence and work on his defensive game after dressing in only six of the Blue Jackets first 18 games this season.

Advertisement In a grand sense, its a bit of a surprise.

Jiricek, 20, thrived late last season in the AHL regular season and postseason, drawing rave reviews and making an excellent first impression on new Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell.

When training camp dawned this fall, Jiricek was playing on the Blue Jackets second defensive pair with veteran Ivan Provorov .

Not only could he not hold that position, he couldnt secure a spot in the lineup most nights, earning 12 healthy scratches.

For whatever reason, it hasnt gone as smoothly with his transition to the NHL this year, Waddell said.

Hes played in some games.

I know he hasnt played the minutes hes wanted to play (an average of 11:12 per game) but his confidence ...

just watching him the other night (vs.

Boston ), and hes worried about making that mistake.

Hes 20 years old.

Hes going to be 21 at the end of the month (Nov.

28).

Hes very young, and playing in the NHL is tough enough to start with.

We made a decision that we thought it was best for him to go play some games in Cleveland, and well see how it goes.

Jiricek was on his way to Cleveland on Wednesday while the Blue Jackets practiced and thus was not available for comment.

His agent, Allan Walsh, also declined to be interviewed.

The Blue Jackets also sent forward Mikael Pyyhtia to AHL Cleveland, a sure sign that winger Kent Johnson out since Oct.

17 with a shoulder injury will be activated from injured reserve ahead of Thursdays game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Nationwide Arena.

Jiricek and Pyyhtia will likely make their season debut with the Blue Jackets top minor-league affiliate on Saturday against AHL Milwaukee.

The demotion of Jiricek, still regarded as one of the NHLs top defensive prospects, will no doubt fan the flames of trade speculation.

The scouts seating area in Nationwide Arena has been busy lately; now theyll start heading to Cleveland.

Advertisement Waddell has acknowledged that other GMs are calling.

He also acknowledged hes willing to listen to offers for Jiricek, while most GMs would say publicly that trading one of their organizations top prospects is out of the question.

As a GM, I have to listen to every trade offer, Waddell said.

It doesnt matter what the players name is, if we could make our team better, we always have to look at those options.

Ive gotten calls.

Well continue to talk to whoever is interested in whichever player, and if something makes sense for the organization Ive never made a personal decision in my career, its always what works best for the organization well look at it.

Ultimately, the Blue Jackets waiver claim this month of defenseman Dante Fabbro like Jiricek, hes a right-side, right-shot defender made it considerably more difficult for Jiricek to crack the lineup.

He has played only once since Fabbro was claimed.

That was on Monday in a win over Boston, and he played only 8:14.

That continues a trend of declining ice time for Jiricek.

As an 18-year-old rookie, he had 18:04 per game in his four outings.

Last season, in 43 games, he averaged 14:36.

This season, he was at 11:12 per game.

Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason said he was demoted and recalled from the minor leagues eight times during his rookie pro season, so he knows what Jiricek is feeling.

He also believes this can be a positive experience if handled the right way.

There are no negatives here, Evason said.

I think a lot of people put a negative tone on people going to the minors to play.

Youre playing professional hockey.

Its a process.

Do we want a young player sitting out? No.

Do we want a young player playing seven or eight minutes per game? No.

We want a player to play so that he can develop and help us win hockey games.

Advertisement Evason said its been made clear to Jiricek what improvements the coaching staff would like to see in his game.

Thats been driven home in one-on-one film review with assistant coaches and, after a recent game in San Jose, by Evason himself.

The thing with Jiri is, when the pucks on his tape, hes fantastic, Evason said.

When the pucks not on his tape, hes got to get more detail in his game.

He understands it.

Hes worked his ass off when he hasnt played.

Hes been committed to trying to do the things were asking him to do to be a really great pro.

He has an offensive upside thats elite.

But to play defense in the NHL, you have to defend.

Hes learning.

When Jiricek and Pyyhtia were told of their demotions, both Waddell and Evason were in the meeting.

Asked how he left it with Jiricek, Evason said: Turn this into a positive.

Use it the right way.

Develop.

And get your ass back here to help the Columbus Blue Jackets win.

(Photo of David Jiricek: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images).

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