Jiricek named OHL Defenseman of the Month

[bluetunehead]

Some good news

https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/jiricek- ... -the-month

[seattleblue]

It’s been a very positive start to his year and he’ll definitely be in the WJC if healthy. He is so much more physical. He still has a bunch of muscle to add but it’s a real change to his game that’s making him more effective.

Now in fairness if he were not on the team he’s on he’d have nowhere near the numbers so it’s more like “juggernauts top offensive PP numbers defenseman” award but it’s been a lot better year than last

[Bluesfan1978]

No matter how good his teammates are considering he hasn't't played this many games in a row in 3 years it's good to see him healthy and building confidence. Glad to see how confident he is in the O zone. Another strong offseason will set him up well to jump to the AHL next year.

[SameOldBlues]

If, and a big if, he can stay healthy…I think the Blues have something in him. I think he heard the whispers and was aware of the doubts…hence his dedication to training and his progression in play.

[John Cocktoastin]

Posted an update on him in another thread...

The 2024 first-round pick Adam Jiricek is continuing his point barrage for the Brantford Bulldogs in the OHL. The defenseman extended his point streak to 13 games — the longest by an OHL defenseman this season — after scoring a goal Friday and adding an assist Saturday.

[seattleblue]

It really would be something if he can be counted on defensively in addition to what he’s got because if he’s defensively stout in the NHL he will be an aggressive offensive weapon with a brain like carbo’s always looking to break through the defense and score. These last two first round picks have a hunger to score

[Harry S Deals]

It really would be something if he can be counted on defensively in addition to what he’s got because if he’s defensively stout in the NHL he will be an aggressive offensive weapon with a brain like carbo’s always looking to break through the defense and score. These last two first round picks have a hunger to score

I think Jiricek has been under sold here because of this injuries which were just bad luck they arent acute in nature. If he had Sunny or Fabbri-like knee issues i would agree but Pekarcik hit him and he dinged early in his first season with what appeared to be a concussion. Kid is a stud defender we will likely see him and Carbonneau at least to start next year in the AHL then we will know more of what we have.

[callitwhatyouwant]

It really would be something if he can be counted on defensively in addition to what he’s got because if he’s defensively stout in the NHL he will be an aggressive offensive weapon with a brain like carbo’s always looking to break through the defense and score. These last two first round picks have a hunger to score

I think Jiricek has been under sold here because of this injuries which were just bad luck they arent acute in nature. If he had Sunny or Fabbri-like knee issues i would agree but Pekarcik hit him and he dinged early in his first season with what appeared to be a concussion. Kid is a stud defender we will likely see him and Carbonneau at least to start next year in the AHL then we will know more of what we have.

he was unjustly ridiculed because of the injury and only because of the injury. The typical trolls said he was an injured player who is too skinny and will always get injured. Not accounting for Jiricek was most likely a top 10 lock if he wasn't injured so the Blues drafted the boom or bust scenario. I personally believe it was the correct play. They drafted the position of need with a boom potential. If it doesn't work out, they pivot from their position of strength with forward prospects and deal for defenders. The Blues so far seem to really like what they have in Jiricek and Lindstein which led to being able to draft Carbs. That doesn't happen if those 2 prospects look like JAGs.

[BalotelliMassive]

he was unjustly ridiculed because of the injury and only because of the injury.

Unjustly? Blowing a knee is a 9 month setback in development....and I think he had a concussion issue too.

[Harry S Deals]

he was unjustly ridiculed because of the injury and only because of the injury.

Unjustly? Blowing a knee is a 9 month setback in development....and I think he had a concussion issue too.

But the point is he was very highly regarded prior and those injuries didnt justify the "pick is a bust" but thats the nature of this forum

[Frank Underwood]

he was unjustly ridiculed because of the injury and only because of the injury.

Unjustly? Blowing a knee is a 9 month setback in development....and I think he had a concussion issue too.

But the point is he was very highly regarded prior and those injuries didnt justify the "pick is a bust" but thats the nature of this forum

Totally agree, Harry. Imagine that a 17-year old kid might struggle coming back from tearing his ACL. A year later, he looks like a totally different player, given time to recover and bulk up physically. He’s still only 19, so hopefully he gets bigger and stronger going forward. Nothing guarantees that he (or any player) will stay healthy, but this forum is pretty risk when it comes to jumping to conclusions.

[BalotelliMassive]

he was unjustly ridiculed because of the injury and only because of the injury.

Unjustly? Blowing a knee is a 9 month setback in development....and I think he had a concussion issue too.

But the point is he was very highly regarded prior and those injuries didnt justify the "pick is a bust" but thats the nature of this forum

People that don't know any better expect instant results from first round picks but it's extremely rare to have a teenage defender in the NHL.

I get that he dropped because of the injury....I need to look at who was picked instead of him and how they're progressing before I could make an unnecessarily early and uneducated judgment on how it's playing out so far.

[seattleblue]

I talked about how disappointing his last season was while it was unfolding, I understand any negative observation is trolling, and it sucks to be a troll or not just by the way players themselves play

[BluesDom]

Look at Brandt Clarke--21 first rounder #8 overall. Hes making his way in the NHL. 24-25 had 33 pts.
This year 12 pts in 26 games.

Simon Nemec trying to get it going. #2 overall in 2022.
Kevin Korchinski #7 in 2022; in AHL.
Pavel Mintyukov in 2022 #10--3yr had 19 pts last year.

23
David Reinbacher in AHL
Dmitry Simashev in NHL 24 games 1 pt -9
Tom Willander #11 6 pts in 17 games first year in NHL
Axel Sandin-Pellika #17 1st year in NHL 6pts in 27 games. -13
Oliver Bonk#22 No Nhl games yet. Hurt?

Not many D from 24 in NHL.
Sam Dickinson Sanjose 20 games 2 pts -4 #11
#7 Carter Yakemchuk AHL
#2 Artyom Levshunov 19 pts in 43games--stud
Anton Silayev #10 KHL
Zayne Parekh #9 1 pt in 11. Not in NHL at moment.
Zeev #12 12 pts in 27 games -9 #12 overall
Jiricek#16. He is where he belongs. Next year in AHL and a sniff in NHL. Next year after NHL. Wont be a start but will be a decent/good NHL'er imo.

[Old_Goat]

It really would be something if he can be counted on defensively in addition to what he’s got because if he’s defensively stout in the NHL he will be an aggressive offensive weapon with a brain like carbo’s always looking to break through the defense and score. These last two first round picks have a hunger to score

I think Jiricek has been under sold here because of this injuries which were just bad luck they arent acute in nature. If he had Sunny or Fabbri-like knee issues i would agree but Pekarcik hit him and he dinged early in his first season with what appeared to be a concussion. Kid is a stud defender we will likely see him and Carbonneau at least to start next year in the AHL then we will know more of what we have.

he was unjustly ridiculed because of the injury and only because of the injury. The typical trolls said he was an injured player who is too skinny and will always get injured. Not accounting for Jiricek was most likely a top 10 lock if he wasn't injured so the Blues drafted the boom or bust scenario. I personally believe it was the correct play. They drafted the position of need with a boom potential. If it doesn't work out, they pivot from their position of strength with forward prospects and deal for defenders. The Blues so far seem to really like what they have in Jiricek and Lindstein which led to being able to draft Carbs. That doesn't happen if those 2 prospects look like JAGs.

In addition to Jiricek and Lindstein, it is likely that Lukas Fischer added to the Blues' confidence in the D-men prospects pool.

[Frank Underwood]

I talked about how disappointing his last season was while it was unfolding, I understand any negative observation is trolling, and it sucks to be a troll or not just by the way players themselves play

Speaking just for myself, your observations on prospects are appreciated. I don’t think anyone considers you a troll for any negative comments on players. Your comments on Jiricek’s progress this season have been encouraging - not all positive, but still encouraging. But there are plenty of others on here that immediately labeled Jiricek a bust and closed the book on him,,,,at 18-years old! That’s crazy.