Kent Hughes continues to actively monitor the trade market to strengthen the Montreal Canadiens’ defensive brigade, particularly on the right side, where a persistent void hinders the team’s progress.
However, meanwhile, on the Columbus Blue Jackets side, David Jiříček, first round pick and 6th overall in 2022, could be looking for a new start.
After several demotions in the American League and the recent acquisition of Dante Fabbro, the young Czech defender finds himself even more limited in his opportunities to break into the Jackets’ regular lineup.
If Jiříček refuses to be relegated to Cleveland, the Blue Jackets may have no other option but to trade him.
Columbus is indeed looking for a promising young forward who can quickly integrate into their growing core.
With offensive prospects such as Joshua Roy who is “stuck in Laval” for obscure reasons, a transaction is not so far-fetched.
In Laval, Roy showed that he has the necessary talent to potentially play in the NHL, but he remains in the shadows, blocked by a Montreal team that wants to punish him for his off-ice behavior, while he is obviously an NHL forward.
However, acquiring Jiříček would not come without sacrifices for the Canadian. Trading Roy alone probably wouldn’t be enough to get a player of Jiříček’s caliber, who, despite his setbacks, remains a caliber defender with high potential.
A 6th overall pick, as disappointing as it is, cannot be traded that easily.
So Hughes might be forced to add additional pieces, like draft picks or another prospect to finalize a trade.
For the Canadiens, an addition like Jiříček would represent an important step towards a more solid future on defense, while also addressing the glaring need for a right-handed defenseman.
It remains to be seen whether Hughes is willing to take that risk and whether Columbus, looking for a solution to trade Jiricek, is willing to turn to a forward like Roy to turn the page on their Czech hope.
The Blue Jackets, under Don Waddell, are looking for a promising young forward in exchange for Jiříček, but would they be open to a trade of right-handed defensemen as well?
It appears that Columbus is not interested in Logan Mailloux.
According to Waddell’s statements, the Blue Jackets are really prioritizing the acquisition of a forward, which could limit interest in an offensive defenseman like Mailloux.
An offensive machine, but a turnover machine in the NHL.
A trade involving Jiříček and a young Canadian forward could benefit both teams. The Canadian would strengthen his defense with a big player, who would add muscle on the right side of the blue line, while the Blue Jackets would add a talented forward to their lineup.
As Martin St-Louis says, the NHL is not an easy league. Young players looking to establish themselves in the NHL are often caught in the wrong environments to develop.
This is why Joshua Roy to Columbus and David Jiricek to Montreal would be such a logical trade.
After all, both young people need a fresh start.
The relationship between David Jiříček and the Columbus Blue Jackets has become increasingly strained.
Jiříček made his displeasure clear, saying loud and clear that he considers himself an NHL player.
“I played some good hockey in the NHL,” he declared, recalling that he should have his place in the big league.
Pascal Vincent, coach of the Laval Rocket and former coach of the Blue Jackets, did not hesitate to respond in a public and provocative manner.
Rather than showing understanding for Jiříček’s aspirations, Vincent compared her demands to those of a young teenage girl:
“My daughter wants her own car. She is 13 years old. This is the Amazon effect. Everyone wants it to happen immediately. »
A derogatory comment which caused a wave of indignation among fans and observers, seeing it as an attempt to publicly demean a hopeful with undeniable potential, but who at the same time seems capricious, like many young players of his generation.
Rather than easing tensions, Vincent thus aggravated the unease. Jiricek and Columbus’ relationship has never been repaired since.
Even with a new coach in Dean Evason, Jiricek is in the organization’s doghouse.
For now, Jiříček’s future appears to lie away from Columbus unless the organization takes quick steps to repair this fractured relationship.
It’s up to Kent Hughes to take advantage of it.
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