A long-rumoured trade has finally come to fruition.
The Columbus Blue Jackets traded defenceman David Jiricek to the Minnesota Wild, both teams announced on Saturday.
Columbus will receive defenceman Daemon Hunt, a 2025 first-round pick, a 2027 second-round pick, a 2026 third-round pick via Colorado and a 2026 fourth-round pick via Toronto in return, while also sending Minnesota a fifth-round pick.
The first-round pick slides to 2026 if it lands in the top five of the 2025 draft.
Jiricek, the 20-year-old right-shot defenceman, has suited up in only six games this season. He has one assist while averaging over 11 minutes of ice time.
Hunt, 22, was selected in the third round of the 2020 draft by the Wild. He made his NHL debut last season, getting into 12 games with the big-league club, but has played just one game with the Wild this season.
“Daemon is a very good, young defenceman and we are excited to welcome him to the Blue Jackets family. In addition to adding a very good prospect, the draft picks we’ve acquired provide us with valuable assets that we can use to improve our club moving forward,” said Blue Jackets general manager Waddell.
Jiricek was selected sixth overall by then-Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen in the 2022 NHL Draft. He had struggled to see consistent playing time on a crowded Columbus blueline.
The defenceman has been involved in trade rumours dating back to last season after he voiced his displeasure with being sent down to the American Hockey League.
On Nov. 16, Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said that a decision would be made soon regarding the 20-year-old blueliner.
Now, two weeks later, Jiricek gets a fresh start in Minnesota.
- Daemon Hunt
- First-round pick (2025)
- Second-round pick (2027)
- Third-round pick (2026)
- Fourth-round pick (2026)
