Chris Johnston recently loosely linked the Los Angeles Kings and the Ottawa Senators to Columbus Blue Jacket David Jiricek. The Kings and Senators play tomorrow at Crypto.com arena. While trade speculation is undoubtedly exciting, it’s time to put that to rest.
Jiricek wants out of Columbus; that’s already been established. The 2022 sixth-round pick hasn’t tasted consistent playing time or success in the NHL to date. He’s only dressed in just 53 games over three seasons, totaling 1g-10a-11p and a -10. 43 of the 53 career games were played in 2023-24, as Jiricek has spent most of his professional career in the AHL (87 games).
Woah. Chris Johnston on SN 590: “Source close to me told me that Jiricek boarded a flight to Los Angeles? Could be joining Ottawa or LAK, most likely Ottawa.”
— Sash Sharnaz (@sas11h) November 29, 2024
If the Johnston rumor is true, it would make sense for Ottawa but not the Kings. Jiricek is projected as an excellent two-way defenseman with size. The King’s defense is practically set, and unless Jordan Spence is going back, the trade shouldn’t and won’t work.
Pouring water on that fire is the fact that Spence has been pivotal in a shot and chance suppressive defensive core, whereas Jiricek is likely not up to the Kings’ standards. Most of his numbers are of higher samples from last year when he played 43 games, and via Moneypuck, they aren’t up to par. His Corsi (47%) is one of the lowest in the Blue Jackets defensive corps. While known for being dangerous going up the ice on attack, his on-ice expected goals per 60 were the third lowest out of nine dressed defensemen (2.23).
We wrote that if the Kings were to make a move, it would most likely come from the forward group, namely Trevor Moore. A trade for a defenseman who technically hasn’t played a full season yet in the NHL should raise red flags.
The Kings’ defense is already one of the elite shot-suppression corps in the league, and taking a flier on a disgruntled young player to give it new life doesn’t add up. LA’s focus on trade should be on scoring, and while the defense and five-on-five are performing well, this would be quite the confusing move if it progressed into reality.
The final aspect is that the Kings should be wary of a player wanting to leave their franchise. LA went through that very recently and, quite frankly, was burned. Pierre-Luc Dubois was on his second franchise in his young career before the Kings traded a pricey package away for him last offseason.
The Kings are without dividends, only in the form of Darcy Kuemper to compensate for the loss. The franchise should be cautious and weary of repeating past mistakes.
