Why The Canadiens Didn't Push More For Jiricek

On Nov. 30, the Columbus Blue Jackets traded right-shot defenseman blueliner David Jiricek to the Minnesota Wild. For the former sixth overall pick in 2022 and a fifth round pick, the Jackets received defenseman Daemon Hunt, a 2025 first-round pick, a 2027 second-round pick, a 2026 third-round pick via Colorado and a 2026 fourth-round pick via Toronto.

While the Montreal Canadiens had interest in the young blueliner, Marco D'Amico reports they weren't ready to give the kind of package the Blue Jackets were after for another piece that has a lot of unknown. According to his article on RG.org, the known issues with the rearguard made him too much of a gamble.

It makes perfect sense really, as previously reporter, a rebuild cannot rely solely on young players, you need to surround them with proven players who have reached a certain stage in their career and development. It's even more accurate when you look at the Habs defensive corps, it's young as it is, but it will be even younger when David Savard goes.

The 34-year-old veteran's contract expires at the end of the season, making him the perfect candidate for a trade deadline move to a contender. As things stand, Savard probably wouldn't bring the same kind of return he would have done last season, but he'll probably still be worth moving.

When they do though, Mike Matheson will be the only veteran on Montreal's blueliner and that's not enough. David Reinbacher is losing his season to a knee injury, Logan Mailloux has showed he's not ready to play at the NHL level so far and as for Justin Barron, he's more often than not the odd-man out sitting in the press box. While he's one of the oldest in the Canadiens' defense corps, he hasn't done enough to earn himself a regular spot in the lineup, even if he is a rare right-shot defenseman.

As this stage Jayden Struble is higher than he is in the hierarchy despite playing on his off side. All things considered, it makes perfect sense for Hughes to be looking for a more established right-shot blueliner on the trade market.

I know, people say trades are not easy this time of the year, but this season seems to be the exception to the rule. Jacob Trouba was moved, there's a bit of a goalie carousel going on with Scott Wedgewood, Junus Anunen, Mackenzie Blackwood, and Alexandar Georgiev all moving. Anything can happen in the NHL.

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