McKeens - Jiricek Writeup

[a smell of green grass]

Overall, a positive review.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/ ... blue-line/

[Sophisticated Shoes]

Encouraging!

[Frank Underwood]

Kind of a subdued write up but accurate. I think the biggest thing for Jiricek was getting past the injury, both physically and mentally. When I saw him play in the 2025 World Juniors, he looked timid and slow, not unexpected from a teenager just coming back from ACL surgery. But with another year of recovery and physical development, he looked drastically different (and better) at the 2026 WJC’s. Given another summer to work out and gain more muscle, he should be even better next season. I assume he starts in Springfield, but I’m sure he will play for the Blues at some point next season.

[SameOldBlues]

The more I watch Jiricek, the more Im convinced he just has ‘it.’ I really think we may be watchin a true #1 star Dman growing into the role right before our very eyes. I really believe the best is yet to come in 2 or 3 years when his boy body morphs into a man’s.

From cries of sadness on draft day a couple years ago, to cries of gladness so far today. Cant wait for cries of radness someday.

[Harry S Deals]

Feltrans dept knows what they are doing I don't think the Jiricek pick was a gamble it was great luck that he fell to the Blues due to injury. A lot of teams are going to lock back and wish they would have made the same pick.

"Defensively, I see growth that matters even more than the points. His gap control has tightened. He is stepping up earlier in the neutral zone and killing plays before they cross his blue line. Last year, he backed in too much and allowed entries with control. This year he trusts his feet and length."

The kid made a couple of really nice plays in the d zone for the Tbirds a really nice poke check he maintained his gap and used his reach to kill a play. And of course the Plager-esqu hip check was awesome. He plays confidently in his own end he didn't really look out of place at all vs the Bruins.

I'm sure there will be some mistakes I'm not sure if AJ graduates out of camp to the NHL but we will see him soon contributing for the Blues he's going to be great

[steve li]

Draftniks, best guess where he would have gone if he was healthy at the time of the draft?

[kimzey59]

Draftniks, best guess where he would have gone if he was healthy at the time of the draft?

He was ranked in the 6-11 range before the injury.
Below Levshunov, Silayev and Dickinson but above Yakemchuk, Parehk and Buium.
But that was before late season leaps by the latter 3.
We'll never know if Jiricek would have seen a similar late season rise.

If I had to nail it down further, I'd say he'd probably go to Calgary at #9 instead of Parekh. Parekh was an extreme gamble by Calgary and I could see them choosing to go with a slightly safer option in Jiricek while still getting a RHD.