Mr. Jiricek certainly drew a lot of attention this season, both on and off the ice, contributing in various ways. The positive takeaway is that his value hasn’t diminished compared to the previous year.
Now, let’s delve into the trend highlighted in the Danforth review: coaching. Jiricek endured a season of inconsistency, often being shuffled around. He faced being scratched, sent down to Cleveland, recalled, only to be scratched again, and so forth. At one point, Pascal Vincent even stated that Jiricek was unjustly benched.
When he did get playing time, he averaged 14:35 per game, significantly less than Gudbranson. He found himself benched during crucial moments and heavily sheltered. While this is not unusual for a young defenseman, it would have been beneficial for Vincent to provide more opportunities, especially as the season spiraled downward.
Another concern was Jiricek’s limited power play involvement. Despite occasions when both Werenski and Boqvist were sidelined, he only saw a mere 25 seconds of power play time. Given his success in Cleveland’s power play, it begs the question why he wasn’t given a chance.
It’s evident that the coaching staff had reservations about fully trusting Jiricek. Additionally, it’s fair to acknowledge that he didn’t always inspire confidence. Areas such as his skating and gap control still require refinement, and instances of missed passes or positional errors weren’t uncommon. While there’s no cause for long-term worry about his development, many had hoped to see more progress by now.
2023-24 Stats
Games: 43
Goals: 1
Assists: 9
Points: 10
Plus/Minus: -4
PIM: 22
5v5 Corsi%: 47.64
5v5 Fenwick%: 47.12
Off Zone Start %: 53.55
Contract
Jiricek’s entry-level contract is valid until the 2025-26 season, with a cap hit of $918,333. As per CapFriendly, he is eligible for performance bonuses of up to $1 million each season.
High Point
On December 14th, the Blue Jackets staged a remarkable comeback, overcoming a five-goal deficit to defeat the Maple Leafs in overtime. This game vividly demonstrated that many of the blown leads throughout the season were primarily due to poor performances from veteran players rather than the younger ones.
Jiricek made significant contributions to the game, tallying two assists, maintaining a plus-one rating, and boasting an expected goals for percentage (xGF%) of 52.27. Despite his strong performance, he only logged 15:43 of ice time, ranking fifth among defensemen.
In a particular play captured in the clip below, Jiricek’s astute decision-making earned him an assist. He capitalized on Matthews’s mishandled entry, with Provorov intercepting the puck. Jiricek swiftly assessed the situation, opting for a no-look pass to a wide-open Provorov while the Leafs were in the midst of a line change. Though seemingly simple, this quick decision created an opportunity on the opposite side of the ice, ultimately resulting in a Chinakhov goal.
Low Point
Despite experiencing some rough outings, Jiricek managed to maintain a Corsi For percentage (FF%) of 50 or higher in 23 out of his 43 games played. Remarkably, he consistently ranked in the top six across nearly every advanced statistic among the ten defensemen who suited up for the Blue Jackets this season. Such achievements deserve commendation, especially for a 20-year-old player on a struggling team.
However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that both perspectives can coexist: Jiricek’s performance may have fallen slightly short of expectations, yet he still stood out as one of the top six defensemen in the organization. Like many others, it’s apparent that the coaching staff and management may not have provided him with the optimal environment for success.
