Wild acquire David Jiricek from Blue Jackets
The David Jiricek sweepstakes are finally over.
The Minnesota Wild have acquired the defenseman from the Columbus Blue Jackets, along with a fifth-round pick, in exchange for defenseman Daemon Hunt and a 2025 first, 2027 second, 2026 third and fourth-round pick.
Apologies, also going to Columbus is 2026 COL 3rd Rd Pick. So full deal is:
To #mnwild: David Jiricek, 5th Rd Pick
To #CBJ: Daemon Hunt, 2025 1st Rd Pick, 2027 2nd Rd Pick, 2026 COL 3rd Rd Pick, 4th Rd Pick https://t.co/VCSy1uN1hd
Jiricek was ranked first on Daily Faceoff insider Frank Seravalli’s Trade Targets list, as he had been in trade rumours for several weeks now after the 2022 sixth-overall pick had been dissatisfied with his playing time with the Blue Jackets. After playing only 43 games last year while averaging 14:36 of ice time, his role had grown even smaller this season by averaging 11:12 in only six games before he was demoted to the AHL. With this happening across multiple front offices and coaching staffs, it was clear to both parties that he needed a new home.
With Jiricek, the Wild now have one of the best upsides on the right side of their blueline along with Brock Faber, along with two other excellent defensemen in Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin. It’s unclear where Jiricek will slot in just yet, especially with both Faber and Spurgeon ahead of him on the depth chart on the right side.
In return, the Blue Jackets get a depth defenseman in Hunt to replace Jiricek on their depth chart, although he doesn’t come with nearly the upside that Jiricek does. The centerpiece of the trade for Columbus is the picks in return, including the Wild’s upcoming first-round pick.
As mentioned before, Jiricek had played just six games with the Wild this season, collecting an assist in those games. However, he did have 2 goals and 1 assist for 3 points in 4 games in the AHL with the Blue Jackets’ minor league affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters.
Jiricek is in the second year of his three-year entry-level contract with a $918,333 cap hit.
Hunt has played just one game for the Wild this season, going pointless in a 4-1 win over the St. Louis Blues on October 15th. He also has 4 assists in 9 games with the AHL with the Wild’s minor league affiliate, the Iowa Wild.
Hunt is in the final year of his three-year entry-level contract with a $828,333 cap hit, and will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.