All Signs Point To Recent Sixth Overall Pick Asking For A Trade
The Columbus Blue Jackets have been among the worst teams in the league for a few years now. The team appears to be mishandling one of their top prospects though as a former 6th overall pick is reportedly growing increasingly frustrated with the team.
Jiricek Growing Frustrated With Blue Jackets, Could Request Trade
The Former 6th overall pick was recently demoted to the AHL. This was a bit surprising to some as he seems to be a capable NHL level defender already. He has a goal and 8 assists in 36 games this year despite playing a 3rd line role and getting no powerplay time. The rookie defenseman expressed his disappointment in being demoted. He also expressed frustration in the fact that he has not gotten a bigger opportunity with the club this year.
"I see guys from the same draft, like Simon Nemec [in New Jersey] and [Kevin] Korchinski [in Chicago]. [...] They get their chance on the power play. They play a lot of minutes in the NHL. These are different teams, different situations, but I can compare myself to them. I just want the chance to play like them."
Jiricek has a fair point. His results in the NHL have been far from bad and he's been playing with a chip on his shoulder in the AHL. He is currently tied for 6th in the team in +/-, second among defenseman only behind Zach Werenski.
Jiricek Proves He Belongs In NHL After Steller Play In American Hockey League
Meanwhile, the 20-year-old defenseman has proved that he belongs in the NHL since being demoted to Cleveland. In seven games with the Monsters he has three goals and is a perfect point-per-game.
Notably, all three of his goals came in the same contest as well as he secured his first career hat trick in professional hockey. Goal scoring is something the Blue Jackets have struggled with this season so perhaps it would make sense for them to call him up after such a performance.
Granted, Jiricek has just one NHL goal so far in his career, but that is not for a lack of skill. Rather the team has not put him in the best position to succeed at the NHL level yet.
As seen on Recent Sixth Overall Pick Reportedly On the Verge of Demanding a Trade
| POLL | ||
10 FEVRIER | 232 ANSWERS All Signs Point To Recent Sixth Overall Pick Asking For A Trade Do you think the Blue Jackets will trade Jiricek? | ||
| Yes | 117 | 50.4 % |
| No | 115 | 49.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
