NHL Prospect Roundup: Columbus Blue Jackets’ David Jiricek is too good for the AHL

Steven Ellis
Steven Ellis
NHL Prospect Roundup: Columbus Blue Jackets’ David Jiricek is too good for the AHL
Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

David Jiricek is a flawed prospect, no question about it.

He’s prone for bad giveaways. His decision-making isn’t always up to snuff. Jiricek’s knack for bad penalties got him into hot water with Columbus Blue Jackets coach Pascal Vincent, too.

But, come on. What’s the point in sending him back to Cleveland?

Jiricek already has two three-plus point efforts since getting sent down in the middle of January, highlighted by a ridiculous three-goal, four-point game against Chicago on Saturday.

Given how bad the Blue Jackets are, why not just let him go out there, make mistakes and find his confidence against the best competition in the world? Is there anything left for him to gain against inferior competition when he has already displayed aptitude against NHLers? There’s nothing for anybody to lose here.

Columbus’ development decisions have been a mystery this season.

It’s only a matter of time until Jiricek is a full-time NHLer – whether that’s in Columbus, or elsewhere. He’s got top-pairing potential and is easily one of the best prospects in the game, but it feels like his Calder Trophy bid was totally wasted for no good reason.

AHL

– At 24, Michael DiPietro – once viewed as one of the best goaltending prospects in the world – is finally starting to play his best pro hockey. He’s 13-6-0 with three shutouts and a .921 save percentage with the Providence Bruins, with just one loss in seven starts in 2024. While Brandon Bussi has often been the one getting the tougher starts, DiPietro’s numbers have been better throughout the season. Providence has a solid defensive system, but DiPietro’s play gives the Boston Bruins another backup option if needed, given the way he’s playing now.

– Sooner rather than later, it’ll be put-up-or-shut-up time for Nashville Predators prospect Egor Afanasyev. He’s an older prospect at 23, but he’s having a breakout season with 19 goals and 38 points – putting him on pace for just under 70. The big, 6-foot-4 forward can overpower defensemen with his size and speed, and he’s harnessing it up in a way few bigger skaters can in the AHL. I hope he gets a shot with the Predators again soon.

– I’ve watched a few of Ivan Miroshnichenko‘s games this year and he seems to get better with each showing. He has seven points over his past 10 games with the Hershey Bears – his best stretch of hockey of the season. It seems like the four-game stint with the Washington Capitals – while mostly unremarkable – helped him raise his compete level for returning to the minors.

NCAA

– Although it hasn’t always been easy, Sam Colangelo‘s switch to Western Michigan University has paid off big time. Colangelo has a career-best 17 goals and 31 points in 26 games in his fourth college season, good for third in team scoring. The lone NHL Draft pick on the Broncos’ top line, Colangelo, isn’t afraid to shoot from just about anywhere, and that’s what makes him such a dangerous goal-scorer. He has an excellent one-timer, but he’s also quick and effective around the crease. It’ll be interesting to see what the Anaheim Ducks decide to do with him because Colangelo can clearly score, but his skating is still well below average.

OHL

– Bryce McConnell-Barker will never be mistaken for an offensive specialist if he makes it to the NHL, but he’s on a big heater right now. BMB has 10 points in his past five games and 17 points over the past 10 games to help him blow past the point-per-game mark. Drafted 97th overall by the New York Rangers in 2022, McConnell-Barker projects as a bottom-six center with shutdown potential. Defensively, McConnell-Barker is a rock, but he can’t seem to stop producing right now, either.

WHL

– It’s been a whirlwind season for Seattle Kraken prospect Tyson Jugnauth, who left his sophomore campaign at the University of Wisconsin after registering just two assists in 13 games. The 6-foot-1 defender has 22 points in 21 games with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks, including seven points over his past four games. There’s nothing that really stands out as a high-end quality in Jungnauth’s game, but he’s solid on the power play and is a stout playmaker.

– Nate Danielson has looked great with the Portland Winterhawks, scoring three goals and 11 points in nine games since the trade from Brandon. A valued leader with a reliable two-way game, he had one of the best games of his season with a three-point effort over Kelowna on Friday. While he’s looking more like a middle-six forward who can bring energy and shut things down with the Detroit Red Wings, Danielson has been relied on as a shooter early on with his new club, and he’s looking solid.

– I’m not totally sure what Jaden Lipinski‘s NHL potential is, but I like him. The Calgary Flames draft pick is quite mobile for a center standing at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds. He’s on pace for 60 points with the Vancouver Giants, but he fits the power forward mold perfectly – so much so that I really think he’ll earn some NHL games at some point.

Allsvenskan

Could Theo Jacobsson be a late-round find for the San Jose Sharks? Taken 177th overall in 2021, Jacobsson has 24 points in 32 games with Vasterviks IK, including four points over his past four games while playing at least 18 minutes a night. He got a call up to Modo’s SHL squad early last week but only had a pair of shifts in a quiet night for the 20-year-old. Jacobsson is putting up the best numbers of his pro career this year while showing a bit more speed. I’m not sure he has the strength to become an NHLer, but he’s improving, at least.

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