The Detroit Red Wings are in a bit of a pinch. A retooling of the defense is greatly needed, but they do not have a lot of assets to work with in a trade.
The defense, outside of star Moritz Seider, has looked bad in the early going, as fans look for changes. One of those changes could come at the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets and young defenseman David Jiricek. It seems he has had a falling out with Columbus management and may be looking for a new home. Is the asking price too high?
Are Red Wings, Jiricek a good fit?
Jiricek has been rumored to be on the block since voicing his displeasure on being sent down to the American Hockey League's Cleveland Monsters last season. The former sixth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft would bring a lot of value to Detroit if a trade were to happen. He would bring size at 6-foot-4 and 204 pounds. He brings a right-handed shot, a spot where the Red Wings are also extremely thin. He also brings youth, another spot where Detroit needs help.
Jiricek would step right into the second-pairing on the Red Wings blue line. Jeff Petry and Justin Holl are both right-handed defensemen, but have struggled this season and could be heading towards Columbus in the deal. The move would also greatly change the future of the right side of the defense that would then include Seider, Jiricek, and stud defenseman Axel Sandin Pellekka, who is an offensive wizard.
Jiricek's stats are day and night. With the Monsters, he has 14 goals and 54 assists for 59 points and 59 penalty minutes in 86 games with Cleveland. With the Blue Jackets, he has just one goal and 10 assists for 11 points in 53 games. His low offensive production could be limited due to limited ice time and not enough games in the NHL.
The rumored asking price for Jiricek is a top-ten pick or a top prospect and a roster player. Detroit has those assets to make an offer. Many teams may want his services and could offer a better package in exchange for the talented young defenseman. Jiricek is currently on a three-year deal that pays him $5,850,000 and could see him as a restricted free agent in 2026.
The Red Wings would have that salary covered. Detroit's cap situation over the next three seasons looks good. The projected cap space for 2024-25 is ($3,1457, 734), 2025-26 ($18, 363, 611), and 2026-27 ($39, 988, 334). His annual average value (AAV) slots well within their projected cap space.
Acquiring Jiricek would help the Red Wings defense long-term and would fill a lot of holes. Aside from Sandin Pellekka, the Detroit pipeline does not include a top prospect on defense that shoots right. This move could drastically change the look of the defense and offense from the back end of he can once again produce like he did in Cleveland.