It seems that the Columbus Blue Jackets have thrown in the towel with one of their top blue-line prospects, David Jiricek.

As reported by the site HABSolumentFan, David Jiricek could very well be available for a trade, according to insider Elliotte Friedman.

David Jiricek could indeed be available for a trade in Columbus, at the right price, of course

This was recently mentioned by the X account of NHL Trade Alert.

Don Waddell told the Columbus broadcast he’s trying to sort out the David Jiricek situation in the next couple days.

“On Columbus: Elliotte says to keep an eye on David Jiricek’s situation. He hasn’t played much, and ‘there were tensions between the player and the organization last season.’ He adds that GM Don Waddell might not have the same attachment to him as Jarmo Kekalainen did.”

One reason the Blue Jackets organization may want to trade the young Czech defenseman is that he isn’t developing quickly enough in the eyes of the team’s management.

Furthermore, Jackets coach Dean Evason told the young player that he needed to earn his ice time. It seems Don Waddell has already received several calls from other NHL general managers inquiring about Jiricek’s availability, according to Friedman.

“I can guarantee there are people watching this to see where it will go.. Young players want to play. He wants to play.. You have a group of veterans demanding a higher level.

You have Evason, who is a demanding coach, and a young player who wants to play and is represented by Allan Walsh, who isn’t the type to let things slide.

Sometimes you just reach a crossroads with a player and wonder what to do.” – Elliotte Friedman

Could Kent Hughes make a call to his counterpart with the Blue Jackets?

The sixth overall pick in the 2022 draft, David Jiricek has only played 53 games in his career in the NHL and often shuttles between the Blue Jackets and the American Hockey League.

Perhaps a change of scenery could benefit him.

Let’s not forget that the Canadiens are very familiar with Jiricek, thanks to the scouting work done ahead of the 2022 NHL Draft. (Just as they are very familiar with Simon Nemec and Shane Wright, for example.)