Confident Adam Jiricek Impresses on Blues' Blue Line During Prospect Tournament

[TBone]

It's behind the P-D paywall, but here's a small taste.

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Confident Adam Jiricek impresses on Blues' blue line during prospect tournament

Matthew DeFranks
Sept 15, 2025

- clip -

Jiricek’s game vs. the Wild impressed Konowalchuk enough that the Blues switched up their power-play units mid-game. To start the game, they used Lindstein at the point on the top unit, but by the end of the game, they had elevated Jiricek to that spot.

While Jiricek did not pick up an assist on the play, his pass to Dalibor Dvorsky began a quick nexus of passes that ended with Aleksanteri Kaskimaki’s power-play goal in the third period vs. Minnesota.

“He was looking to shoot the puck, you could tell,” Konowalchuk said. “That’s why he ended up there, he was playing on that No. 1 power play. He was shooting, and he was getting pucks there. He does have that confidence. It was a really solid game from him, too. Very good impression.”

https://www.stltoday.com/sports/profess ... a4a22.html

[danno]

But he wasn't a top 5 pick so the Blues brass had better cut bait while they still can

[a smell of green grass]

Note to self:
- Lindstein is nothing special
- If Jiricek can stay healthy, he will be about 1/2 as good as Buium. Did you see the reviews of Buium? Take a gander so that you know what impressive looks like.

[Nublues69]

But he wasn't a top 5 pick so the Blues brass had better cut bait while they still can

Right since he wasnt top five we would be lucky to get a used jock strap for him. Should trade him to a Canadian team and take back their bad contracts. I am sure a certain someone here will make sure we all know that lol lol

Good post

[Army's Mom]

Note to self:

-he's no Bobby Orr - who was just as available to draft as Buium, someone else Army failed to acquire.

-if he can stay healthy, he's still not yet a Paul Coffey. Have yall seen the reviews of Coffey? You should, so you know of yet another player Army never had a chance to acquire. Because he chose to enter hockey management after Coffey retired...

[SameOldBlues]

Buium was drafted 12th overall, he’s terrible.

[seattleblue]

Buium was drafted 12th overall, he’s terrible.

just like Fowler

[SRV1990]

Buium was drafted 12th overall, he’s terrible.

just like Fowler

But wait, I thought if you weren't a top 5 pick you were worthless. Is this not true? Man, the rules change so often around here it's very difficult for all of us NHL GMs to keep [shirt] straight. Thanks for your time, I'll hang up and listen.

[Harry S Deals]

Jiricek impressed Konowalchuk and he is eligible to play in the AHL, what are the odds? 35%-50%?

[The Average Gatsby]

Jiricek impressed Konowalchuk and he is eligible to play in the AHL, what are the odds? 35%-50%?

With his injury history I would guess closer to 5%. He needs to have a healthy season and continue bulking up before he starts playing against professional grown men full time.

[Harry S Deals]

Jiricek impressed Konowalchuk and he is eligible to play in the AHL, what are the odds? 35%-50%?

With his injury history I would guess closer to 5%. He needs to have a healthy season and continue bulking up before he starts playing against professional grown men full time.

True, in the AHL they will target him for sure

[Bluesfan1978]

On the hockey sense interview he said he’s 185-187 and wants to add another 10 pounds. I thought it was interesting to hear he didn’t start playing D until 15. Could be a steal of a draft pick in 2-3 years

[a smell of green grass]

Buium was drafted 12th overall, he’s terrible.

See false statement above. No one thinks that, not even the author.

See true statement below.

Buium was drafted 12th overall, well out of the reach of Doug Armstrong EVERY YEAR. Armstrong wants to pick no lower than 15.

When picking >15...
- There are no expectations on Army. If the draft pick never makes the NHL, it is the draft pick's fault 100%. Isn't it amazing how Army has acquired a reputation of being a great draft expert, but he has NEVER had to prove it in St Louis. He drafts so late in the draft that the hard choices are over and left to the other GMs. Army drafts so late that every pick is a long-shot, and won't be sniffing the NHL for 4 years.
- Picking later in the draft correlates with making it into the playoffs, and that correlates with cash register ring.
- Even though Minnesota had nearly the same record as the Blues in 2024, MN gets Buium who is going to be a star now, while the Blues get Jiricek who is about 10 months and 10 lbs away from even playing in the AHL.

[Bluesfan1978]

Buium was drafted 12th overall, he’s terrible.

See false statement above. No one thinks that, not even the author.

See true statement below.

Buium was drafted 12th overall, well out of the reach of Doug Armstrong EVERY YEAR. Armstrong wants to pick no lower than 15.

When picking >15...
- There are no expectations on Army. If the draft pick never makes the NHL, it is the draft pick's fault 100%. Isn't it amazing how Army has acquired a reputation of being a great draft expert, but he has NEVER had to prove it in St Louis. He drafts so late in the draft that the hard choices are over and left to the other GMs. Army drafts so late that every pick is a long-shot, and won't be sniffing the NHL for 4 years.
- Picking later in the draft correlates with making it into the playoffs, and that correlates with cash register ring.
- Even though Minnesota had nearly the same record as the Blues in 2024, MN gets Buium who is going to be a star now, while the Blues get Jiricek who is about 10 months and 10 lbs away from even playing in the AHL.

What’s wrong with players taking longer to make the NHL? I’d be more worried about how many players in the top 2-3 rounds make or don’t make the team. Most teams try not to rush players and usually it helps their development. Have you listened to any of the player interviews talking about the current culture of the team? That’s the environment you want to expose young players to. Every young player in the blues organization now knows they have to earn a job and not have it handed to them. The Blues have created a healthy competitive culture and in return the team will reap the benefits over the coming years. Last year was one of the most exciting years as a Blues fan for myself. Can’t wait for the next few seasons. What if Jiricek ends up being a better D than Buium?

[a smell of green grass]

Buium was drafted 12th overall, he’s terrible.

See false statement above. No one thinks that, not even the author.

See true statement below.

Buium was drafted 12th overall, well out of the reach of Doug Armstrong EVERY YEAR. Armstrong wants to pick no lower than 15.

When picking >15...
- There are no expectations on Army. If the draft pick never makes the NHL, it is the draft pick's fault 100%. Isn't it amazing how Army has acquired a reputation of being a great draft expert, but he has NEVER had to prove it in St Louis. He drafts so late in the draft that the hard choices are over and left to the other GMs. Army drafts so late that every pick is a long-shot, and won't be sniffing the NHL for 4 years.
- Picking later in the draft correlates with making it into the playoffs, and that correlates with cash register ring.
- Even though Minnesota had nearly the same record as the Blues in 2024, MN gets Buium who is going to be a star now, while the Blues get Jiricek who is about 10 months and 10 lbs away from even playing in the AHL.

What’s wrong with players taking longer to make the NHL? I’d be more worried about how many players in the top 2-3 rounds make or don’t make the team. Most teams try not to rush players and usually it helps their development. Have you listened to any of the player interviews talking about the current culture of the team? That’s the environment you want to expose young players to. Every young player in the blues organization now knows they have to earn a job and not have it handed to them. The Blues have created a healthy competitive culture and in return the team will reap the benefits over the coming years. Last year was one of the most exciting years as a Blues fan for myself. Can’t wait for the next few seasons. What if Jiricek ends up being a better D than Buium?

While I agree that it is foolish to rush a young player, I also believe it is foolish to think that there is no damage as you wait.

1) A later prospect that may be great will pass you by because are married to the wrong one.

2) Expensive old free-agents are continually signed and cycled, leaving no continuity in it's wake. See Faksa and Bjugstadt and Fowler as examples. None had a chance of being on the roster for long. Most teams sign older FA's to round out the roster for a Cup run. The Blues sign them to cover up roster holes and draft mistakes. Show me a Bjugstadt, and I'll show you failed Center draft selections by Army.

3) There is an old NHL adage. The longer it takes for a player to make the NHL, the LESS IMPACT he will bring. "Waiting for 3rd-liners" makes no sense as they are a dime a dozen. The team should be laser-focused on finding young top-liners. They NEVER bring up the topic, because the never make any progress on it (VIA THE DRAFT which is the traditional way of finding them)

4) The Blues have one of the oldest rosters in the league. The primary reason for this is poor drafting by Doug Armstrong. Based on past results, Doug Armstrong's draft picks should be a on a SHORT LEASH, not a SLOW ROLL. See Scott Perunovich for an example.

[Bluesfan1978]

Buium was drafted 12th overall, he’s terrible.

See false statement above. No one thinks that, not even the author.

See true statement below.

Buium was drafted 12th overall, well out of the reach of Doug Armstrong EVERY YEAR. Armstrong wants to pick no lower than 15.

When picking >15...
- There are no expectations on Army. If the draft pick never makes the NHL, it is the draft pick's fault 100%. Isn't it amazing how Army has acquired a reputation of being a great draft expert, but he has NEVER had to prove it in St Louis. He drafts so late in the draft that the hard choices are over and left to the other GMs. Army drafts so late that every pick is a long-shot, and won't be sniffing the NHL for 4 years.
- Picking later in the draft correlates with making it into the playoffs, and that correlates with cash register ring.
- Even though Minnesota had nearly the same record as the Blues in 2024, MN gets Buium who is going to be a star now, while the Blues get Jiricek who is about 10 months and 10 lbs away from even playing in the AHL.

What’s wrong with players taking longer to make the NHL? I’d be more worried about how many players in the top 2-3 rounds make or don’t make the team. Most teams try not to rush players and usually it helps their development. Have you listened to any of the player interviews talking about the current culture of the team? That’s the environment you want to expose young players to. Every young player in the blues organization now knows they have to earn a job and not have it handed to them. The Blues have created a healthy competitive culture and in return the team will reap the benefits over the coming years. Last year was one of the most exciting years as a Blues fan for myself. Can’t wait for the next few seasons. What if Jiricek ends up being a better D than Buium?

While I agree that it is foolish to rush a young player, I also believe it is foolish to think that there is no damage as you wait.

1) A later prospect that may be great will pass you by because are married to the wrong one.

2) Expensive old free-agents are continually signed and cycled, leaving no continuity in it's wake. See Faksa and Bjugstadt and Fowler as examples. None had a chance of being on the roster for long. Most teams sign older FA's to round out the roster for a Cup run. The Blues sign them to cover up roster holes and draft mistakes. Show me a Bjugstadt, and I'll show you failed Center draft selections by Army.

3) There is an old NHL adage. The longer it takes for a player to make the NHL, the LESS IMPACT he will bring. "Waiting for 3rd-liners" makes no sense as they are a dime a dozen. The team should be laser-focused on finding young top-liners. They NEVER bring up the topic, because the never make any progress on it (VIA THE DRAFT which is the traditional way of finding them)

4) The Blues have one of the oldest rosters in the league. The primary reason for this is poor drafting by Doug Armstrong. Based on past results, Doug Armstrong's draft picks should be a on a SHORT LEASH, not a SLOW ROLL. See Scott Perunovich for an example.

The Blues rank very well for how they draft.
Binner, Parayko, Kyrou, Neigbours would all be redrafted much higher
Thomas would be top 5 of his draft, Kyrou would be top 10-12, Jake will probably end up being top15 but brings intangibles that won't rate him higher, Tucker is still establishing himself as regular as well as Kessel but both players would be redrafted much higher. Tage Thompson would probably be top 10.
Add in Broberg and Holloway could both be redrafted into the top 10 already
Another approach you could take is to look at what players the team drafted since Petro. They could easily put together a contending team.
Two teams i followed closely were the Devils and Wings and they brought players up slowly and had high success rates. They moto was you can't hurt a players development by bring them up slow but you can by doing it too fast.
I'll probably follow their strategy, worked well for them. I'm just a fan but I think it's great for a player to play a year or two in the AHL.
Every team has Perunovich's.
What do you actually like about how the team is run? It's too bad you're not getting to enjoy the excitement of training camp like the rest of the fans. Future looks bright.