As expected, Jiricek was recalled by the Blue Jackets on Monday, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.
Jiricek should draw into a bottom-four role for Tuesday's game versus Pittsburgh. The 19-year-old rookie has picked up three points while averaging just 13:34 of ice time through 10 top-level appearances this year.
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Blue Jackets' David Jiricek: Should return to NHL this week
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Jiricek has been told by the Blue Jackets he'll be recalled to the NHL roster after Sunday's game against the Rangers, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.
The teenage blueliner has given Columbus solid shifts this season, producing a goal and three points in 10 games with an even plus/minus rating for a team that has a minus-11 goal differential, the worst mark in the Eastern Conference. A roster crunch prompted Jiricek's demotion to AHL Cleveland on Saturday to make room for the return of Patrik Laine, but it seems as though his stay in the minors will be a brief one. As Jiricek has already played 10 NHL games in 2023-24, the first year of his entry-level contract has kicked in, giving the Jackets little incentive to keep him in the AHL.
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Blue Jackets' David Jiricek: Returned to AHL affiliate
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Jiricek was sent to AHL Cleveland on Saturday.
The 19-year-old defenseman will be a huge part of the Blue Jackets future, but Jiricek needs to be seeing ample playing time at this stage of his career. He wasn't getting it with Columbus, as he was a healthy scratch for the last two contests. Jiricek had a goal and two assists in 10 games at the NHL level before his demotion.
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Blue Jackets' David Jiricek: Ascends to top level
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Jiricek was recalled from AHL Cleveland on Friday.
The move was necessitated when Zach Werenski suffered a quad contusion Thursday and was placed on injured reserve. Jiricek is highly regarded -- he was selected sixth overall in the 2022 Draft. Jiricek played in four NHL games last season without a point, but he had six goals and 32 assists in 55 AHL games last year.
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Blue Jackets' David Jiricek: Sent to AHL
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Jiricek was assigned to AHL Cleveland on Monday.
Jiricek was among the final roster cuts following a strong showing during training camp. He provided six goals and 38 points in 55 games at the minor-league level last season. The 19-year-old defender could see NHL action at some point in 2023-24.
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Blue Jackets' David Jiricek: Making push for roster spot
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Jiricek skated on a pairing with Ivan Provorov during Monday's preseason game against the Blues, and Blue Jackets coach Pascal Vincent called the duo "our best defensemen" after the contest, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.
The 19-year-old Jiricek is one of the top blue-line prospects in hockey, but he's also still eligible to be sent to AHL Cleveland without needing to clear waivers, so he's not a lock to be on the NHL roster Opening Night. The sixth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft seems to be making a strong push in camp for a job though, and after collecting six goals and 38 points in 55 games for Cleveland last season, Jiricek could be ready for the next challenge.
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Blue Jackets' David Jiricek: Headed back to minors
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Jiricek was returned to AHL Cleveland on Wednesday.
Jiricek logged 20:13 of ice time in Tuesday's clash with Philadelphia in which he garnered one shot, two blocks and one hit. In his four NHL contests this year, the Czech blueliner has yet to register his first NHL point. Given the lengthy list of injuries for the Jackets, Jiricek will likely be recalled before the team faces Pittsburgh on Thursday.
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Blue Jackets' David Jiricek: Earns NHL promotion
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Jiricek was brought up from the minors Tuesday.
Jiricek has played in three NHL games this season in which he recorded four shots, eight hits and a minus-5 rating. With Nick Blankenburg (ankle) likely done for the season, both Jiricek and Jake Christiansen should be expected to suit up for Tuesday's clash with the Flyers.
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Blue Jackets' David Jiricek: Ascends to top level
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Jiricek was recalled from AHL Cleveland on Saturday, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.
Jiricek is considered a big part of the Blue Jackets' future, as he was drafted sixth overall in 2022. He played a couple of games with Columbus in late October but has spent most of the season at the AHL level. Jiricek has six goals and 32 assists in 51 AHL games this season.
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Blue Jackets' David Jiricek: Recalled Friday
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Jiricek was recalled from AHL Cleveland on Friday.
The Blue Jackets were decimated with injuries to their blue line Thursday as Zach Werenski (shoulder) and Nick Blankenburg (ankle) were lost for the year and 6-8 weeks, respectively. Jiricek was drafted sixth overall in July 2022 and played a couple of games at the end of October with the Blue Jackets before he was demoted this past week.
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Blue Jackets' David Jiricek: Dropped to AHL
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Jiricek was demoted to AHL Cleveland on Sunday.
Jiricek averaged 15:31 of ice time and posted a minus-4 rating over his first two NHL appearances. The 18-year-old defenseman should see more playing time in the minors for now.
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Blue Jackets' David Jiricek: Promoted to NHL
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Jiricek was recalled from AHL Cleveland on Wednesday.
Jiricek has four assists in five AHL contests this season. Columbus selected the 18-year-old defender in the first round, sixth overall, of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. Jiricek should get a chance to make his NHL debut during his stint with the Blue Jackets because of injuries to Adam Boqvist (foot) and Nick Blankenburg (upper body).
