The Vancouver Canucks have been active on the NHL’s trade lines searching for a blueliner.
The team’s desire for another defenceman is well-known and new reports show that Patrik Allvin was targeting right-handed blueliner David Jiricek.
“Did the Canucks have conversations with the Columbus Blue Jackets about trying to acquire him? Yes,” explained Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli on Halford & Brough today.
“Did they ever seriously go anywhere? I don’t think so. I believe they presented an offer that Columbus needed a lot more. I don’t think the Canucks were willing to engage on the level that the Blue Jackets were looking for in order to get Jiricek.”
“Certainly interested in the player but unless there’s a significant change in the package or what the Canucks are presenting, I don’t believe he’s going to be landing in Vancouver.”
Jiricek was the sixth-overall pick in the 2022 NHL draft but his development hasn’t been perfect since. He’s recorded 11 points in 53 NHL games over the course of three seasons but has struggled to fully establish himself on the Blue Jackets blue line.
This has led to an unhappy situation and the Blue Jackets are likely to deal the young player sooner rather than later.
There’s a lot to like about Jiricek’s game. He’s right-handed, 6-foot-4, and has put up strong numbers in the AHL. He just needs to find the right situation to translate that success to the NHL.
While the Canucks were interested, it looks as if they’ve been priced out, according to Seravalli’s report. They’ll have to turn their attention elsewhere but the good news is that there are a lot of intriguing names potentially on the market.
With Stanley Cup aspirations this season, the Canucks may be more interested in an established player over someone like Jiricek anyways.
🗣️”Did the #Canucks have conversations with the #CBJ about trying to aquire Jiricek? Yes. Did they ever seriously go anywhere? I don’t think so.”
▶️@MikeHalford604 & @SadClubCommish chat with @frank_seravalli about the likelihood of David Jiricek landing in Vancouver.
— Sportsnet 650 (@Sportsnet650) November 27, 2024