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Understandably, much of the Philadelphia Flyers’ late March focus centered on their playoff push and top prospect Porter Martone’s debut. However, they also took care of another piece of business for their future, as they signed defenseman David Jiricek to a two-year contract extension on Wednesday.
The extension is for two years, $3 million, with a $1.5 million annual average value.
The 22 year old Jiricek was acquired prior to the NHL Trade Deadline in exchange for right wing Bobby Brink in a deal with the Minnesota Wild.
The Czech defenseman was a pending restricted free agent. He will still be an RFA once this deal expires, giving the Flyers control through the 2027-28 season.
Jiricek was the sixth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, taken by the Columbus Blue Jackets after the Flyers selected forward Cutter Gauthier. Columbus traded him to Minnesota in November 2024 in exchange for defenseman Daemon Hunt and four draft picks.
At this point of his career, Jiricek has played 84 NHL regular season games. He’s posted 13 points (2g, 11a) along with 44 penalty minutes.
Where Things Stand For Jiricek
Jiricek was a highly regarded prospect is in his draft year and it wasn’t difficult to see why.
His six-foot-four, 208 pound frame, combined with a hard right handed shot, and excellent reach were enticing. His offensive ability has been on full display with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms as he’s produced at a point per game pace (two goals, 10 points, in 10 games played).
The upside is clearly there.
However, the reason for why Jiricek is playing for his third NHL team is how raw he is defensively.
While that isn’t necessarily surprising, as big defenseman with his ability tend to take longer to develop, it is concerning when it comes to projecting what kind of NHLer he’ll be. His lateral skating and own zone reads have been a struggle during his time as a pro.
At this point, it’s unknown if Jiricek will become an NHL regular. But the two year extension gives the Flyers time to find out.
Currently he is a minus six with the Phantoms.
Patience Required
Columbus grew frustrated with his development in those areas. His opportunity with Minnesota dried up quickly, especially following the Quinn Hughes trade signalled the Wild weren’t going to wait on him.
Especially while they’re in pursuit of a Stanley Cup.
The Flyers are obviously in a different spot. Before Jiricek’s acquisition, their current top right side defensive prospect is Oliver Bonk. For a team without a bonafide top defensive prospect, the Kaltovy native represents a package of size and skill that the rest of their pipeline doesn’t have.
It’s not often that players of Jiricek’s type become available, but the Flyers are uniquely situated in that regard to take more time with him.
That said, he will be a project for their development staff. But they’ve taken chances on Owen Tippett and Trevor Zegras as players who lost their shine with their previous team and are now contributors to their current playoff push.
In many ways, Flyers general manager Daniel Briere’s comments on Jiricek mirrored those he gave on Zegras over the summer.
“We still see high potential,” Briere said to reporters at the time of the trade. “21, 22 year old 6 foot 4 defensemen of his caliber are tough to find. We know we have to work with him. We need to be patient and give him a little bit of rope to develop him.”
Jiricek will likely finish out his season with the Phantoms, but he is expected to challenge for a Flyers’ roster spot come this fall.
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