November 25, 2024 | 12:40pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

BLUE JACKETS PREFER HOCKEY TRADE FOR JIRICEK

David Jiricek, defenceman

As the Blue Jackets navigate the trade waters for defenceman David Jiricek, word out of Columbus suggests the team prefers to make a ‘hockey trade’ in this instance, swapping out talent-for-talent.

Jiricek, who turns 21 on Nov. 28, has played in six games with the Blue Jackets this season and is currently on loan to Cleveland of the AHL to gain more playing time.

Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell has been exploring the trade market on Jiricek and taking calls from several clubs as he looks to add some young fire power up front.

As TFP’s David Pagnotta reported Monday morning on TSN690 in Montreal, the Anaheim Ducks and Nashville Predators are among the teams believed to have interest in Jiricek and have some forward assets they may be willing to part with that fits what Columbus is looking for.

The Minnesota Wild, Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers are also speculated to have varying levels of interest in Jiricek, who is in the second year of his three-year, entry-level contract.

The Blue Jackets sit three points back of a wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference, boasting a 9-9-2 record and exceeding league-wide expectations, to date. If Waddell can bolster his second or third line, that seems to be an area he prefers to add to.