Blue Jackets trade Jiricek to Wild

The Columbus Blue Jackets sent defenseman David Jiricek and a 2025 fifth-round pick to the Minnesota Wild for blue-liner Daemon Hunt, a conditional 2025 first-round selection, a third- and fourth-rounder in 2026, and a second-round choice in 2027, the clubs announced Saturday.

If the Wild's first-rounder next year is in the top five, Minnesota will keep the pick and instead send one from the same round in 2026.

Jiricek will report to his new organization's AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild.

Columbus reportedly discussed Jiricek trades with other clubs earlier this week. He vented his frustration last season upon being sent to the AHL, insisting he "should be in the NHL right now."

Jiricek, who the Blue Jackets chose sixth overall in 2022, was most recently playing with their top farm club, the Cleveland Monsters. He produced two goals and an assist in four games with the AHL squad after collecting one helper in six contests with Columbus this campaign.

The Czech rearguard, who turned 21 on Thursday, averaged only 11:12 of ice time in his half-dozen NHL appearances this fall. He notched a goal and nine assists while averaging 14:36 over 43 games with the Blue Jackets last season. Jiricek made his debut in the league in 2022-23, playing four contests with Columbus.

He showed promise over a pair of campaigns with the Monsters, posting six tallies and 32 helpers across 55 AHL games in that season and then 19 points, including seven goals, over 29 contests with Cleveland in 2023-24.

Jiricek earned top defenseman honors at the 2023 World Junior Championship after racking up seven points, including three goals, in seven games while helping Czechia claim the silver medal.

He joins a Wild club that already boasts a gifted young defenseman - last season's Calder Trophy runner-up Brock Faber. The 22-year-old came into Saturday's slate with 12 points, including nine assists, while averaging 24:41 of ice time over 23 games in 2024-25.