Minnesota Wild Chasing Trade for 2022 1st Round Pick

The Minnesota Wild are one of the best teams in the NHL, through 22 games of 2024-25 season. But they do have some holes that they could fill, during the months that still stand between now and the trade deadline. They may not wait, though.

There is already some trade chatter coming out of insider circles, too. Who might president of hockey operations, Bill Guerin, may be targeting. According to the Minnesota Wild insider, Michael Russo (The Athletic), Billy G has his eyes set on 2022 No. 6 overall pick, David Jiricek, a defenseman in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization.

If you’ve listened to my Worst Seats in the House podcast, I’ve mentioned his name a handful of times dating to before the summer as one of the Columbus Blue Jackets prospects I could see the Wild pursuing after a new GM arrived and had a chance to examine his players.

The Blue Jackets have held talks with a significant number of NHL teams about Jiricek. One is definitely the Wild, and if they can get this done, I’d think it would be for a prospect and perhaps a pick or NHL throw-in.

Michael Russo – The Athletic

Minnesota Wild eyeing trade for Columbus Blue Jackets top draft pick

Before we get to who the Minnesota Wild might have to give up, in order to land Jiricek from Columbus, let’s quickly get into the “why”. The Blue Jackets have been on a selling spree all season, and they’ve had regular conversations with Bill Guerin, throughout.

It wasn’t that long ago that Minnesota and Columbus had agreed to terms on a deal that would have landed star forward Patrik Laine in St. Paul. He had the Wild on his no-trade list and refused the deal. Not long after, he was dealt to Montreal. So where does Jiricek come into this conversation?

Not only have the Wild been after him for some time, but David Jiricek seems to have found his way into the doghouse of the Blue Jackets’ coaching staff. He’s played in just 6 games all season, spending more time as a healthy scratch in the press box, than he has been active.

Jiricek is averaging just 11:12 TOI in 2024-25, where he has notched only 1 assist all year. Last week, he was sent down to AHL Cleveland, where he notched a goal and an assist in his second game with the Monsters.

Blue Jackets' defenseman prospect David Jiricek scored in OT to lift the Cleveland Monsters over the Milwaukee Admirals.

Nashville rumored to be interested in the No. 6 overall pick from 2022, who seems to be on his way out in Columbus. pic.twitter.com/zZVqSRtfAJ

— Alex Daugherty (@AlexDaugherty1) November 24, 2024

Why do Wild want Jiricek and how do they get him?

Nobody is doubting the newly turned 21-year-old‘s talent, but things are not working out in Columbus, and it appears the Blue Jackets are deep into trade talks with multiple teams, and the Minnesota Wild want him badly. The best part, they won’t have to give up Marco Rossi to get it done.

A few pods ago, I mentioned Jiricek’s name again because it’s a name that I keep hearing the Wild are motivated to acquire. And I subtly hinted I’d understand the deal … as long as a trade doesn’t include Marco Rossi. And I don’t think it would.

In terms of prospects, the only untouchables are likely Danila Yurov, Jesper Wallstedt and Zeev Buium.

Michael Russo – The Athletic

Russo also names Daemon Hunt as a Wild prospect who could be on the move, if they are to reel in David Jiricek. Others listed include Liam Ohgren, Riley Heidt and Hunter Haight. If Columbus wants NHLers back in a trade, defenseman Declan Chisholm and forward Freddy Gaudreau would be the most likely candidates to be included in the deal.

Related: Oddsmakers Do Not See the Minnesota Wild as a Stanley Cup Threat

Originally, the Blue Jackets wanted a prospect-for-prospect offer, in order to move Jiricek. That no longer seems to be the case, which has opened up the possibilities for Minnesota. According to NHL insider Aaron Portzline (The Athletic), Columbus may now be willing to listen to offers including a 1st round pick + a depth defenseman, thus where Russo’s mention of Chisholm comes into play.

If Waddell can’t land a top prospect in return, he may be willing to expand his demands. A team source told The Athletic on Tuesday that he was willing to consider a trade package that would start with a first-round draft pick but may also include a depth defenseman.

Aaron Portzline – The Athletic

Bill Guerin looking to the future, even in a winning season

Obviously, as a very young former top-6 overall pick, Bill Guerin is still in love with the ceiling of Jiricek, who’s from the Czech Republic. Russo says Billy’s future dream includes Faber and Jiricek as the perfect top-six right-shot defensive tandem, the type of talent that is capable of eventually replacing a now 35-year old Jared Spurgeon.

Related: Kirill Kaprizov Hart Trophy Odds: Can Minnesota Wild Superstar Win NHL MVP?

If a deal with the Blue Jackets were to be consummated, according to The Athletic’s Minnesota Wild insider, it’s very possible that David Jiricek would start his time with the Wild, at AHL Iowa, while he gets his feet underneath him, both on and off the ice.