Recent sixth-round picks rarely become available via the trade market, particularly when the rebuilding team is shopping that player around. And yet, that's exactly where the Columbus Blue Jackets find themselves this Black Friday.

A trade may not be imminent, but the Blue Jackets and their former first-round draft pick appear headed that way.

The Columbus Blue Jackets made David Jiricek the sixth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. Jiricek came to the organization with a ton of hype around him. And he even earned an early call-up to the Blue Jackets in his first season as a pro.

NHL insiders are saying a David Jiricek trade could happen soon, but the Blue Jackets are also content to stand pat.

According to MoneyPuck, the Wild are controlling play with a 65.7 percent expected goal rate with his shutdown pair with Jonas Brodin and have only allowed 1.37 expected goals per 60 minutes with Brodin and Spurgeon on the ice. That’s third best in the NHL (minimum 90 minutes).

Chris Johnston recently loosely linked the Los Angeles Kings and the Ottawa Senators to Columbus Blue Jacket David Jiricek. The Kings and Senators play tomorrow at Crypto.com arena. While trade speculation is undoubtedly exciting,

"There seems to be lots of thought at the Minnesota Wild are one of the frontrunners for Jiricek at this point."

A David Jiricek trade from the Blue Jackets is reportedly 'imminent,' but the young defenseman will not join the Canucks.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman David Jiricek has been the subject of trade rumors the entire season, and the San Jose Sharks might take a swing for the former sixth-overall pick.

It's never too early in the season for trade rumors, and the Minnesota Wild rarely get through the early part of the season without activity. Since Bill Guerin took over as general manager, he's been proactive at fixing holes on his roster,

Speculation and reports increased about a potential David Jiricek trade, including what the Columbus Blue Jackets could want and which NHL teams should get him.