by The Minnesota Wild made a splash Saturday by acquiring defenseman David Jiricek from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Daemon Hunt and draft picks, before assigning him to their AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild.
Jiricek recorded two goals and three points in four games with the Cleveland Monsters and one assist in six games with the Blue Jackets while averaging 11:12 of ice time per game.
Jiricek, the sixth overall pick in the 2022 draft, has not officially requested a trade, but his name began popping up in trade rumors after he was sent to the AHL on November 20.
With Brock Faber and Zeev Buium already in the system, the Wild now have three core pieces on the back end.
There’s no news on how long Jiricek will stay in the AHL, but with Jonas Brodin’s injury and the price they paid to acquire him, there’s a good chance Jiricek will dress for Minnesota as soon as possible.
Hunt played in one game for Minnesota this season and had four assists in nine games with Iowa.
A third-round pick in 2020, Hunt has 45 points in 125 career AHL games, he should be able to slide into a quarterback role on the Monsters’ power play.
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