The Toronto Maple Leafs could find some help for their right side of the defense in the Eastern Conference
The Toronto Maple Leafs can address their blue line concerns by targeting Columbus Blue Jackets prospect David Jiricek.
The 20-year-old drafted sixth overall in 2022 is a 6'4" right-shot defenseman with a high ceiling.
Despite his talent, David Jiricek has struggled to secure consistent NHL playing time in Columbus due to the team's overcrowded defense.
With the Blue Jackets sitting at the bottom of the Metro Division and Jiricek recently scratched, the Leafs could capitalize on this situation and try to bring him in Toronto.
Toronto's defense is solid but aging and lacking high-end young talent and adding Jiricek could provide a future top-pairing option with physicality and offensive upside.
He's already proven himself in the AHL by making the All-Star team as one of its youngest players. His size, his ability to skate and his physicality is exactly what Toronto needs for long-term stability on the right side.
Acquiring Jiricek would be costly since Columbus won't part with him easily, so Toronto might need to offer a significant package.
A potential deal could involve their top prospect Easton Cowan, their promising defenseman Topi Niemelä and a 2025 first-round pick.
This would provide the Blue Jackets with a talented forward prospect, a right-shot defenseman to develop and a high future draft pick.
The benefits for the Leafs are clear with David Jiricek's youth and upside align well with their core and his size and aggressive play style could complement Toronto's defense.
Adding a potential top-pair defenseman like David Jiricek would be a really good opportunity to enhance their blue-line depth and address a critical need with this young stud.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 18 | 139 ANSWERS The Toronto Maple Leafs could find some help for their right side of the defense in the Eastern Conference Do you think David Jiricek will finish the season with the Columbus Blue Jackets? | ||
| Yes | 67 | 48.2 % |
| No | 72 | 51.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
