The Buffalo Sabres have a prime trade target from the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Buffalo Sabres are expected to be sellers at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, as their playoff hopes are quite low. However, at the same time, this does not mean that they should not be open to making additions to their roster, too.

One clear area where the Sabres should be looking to improve is the right side of their defensive group. It is a major weakness with their current roster, and now, there is an intriguing defenseman from the Columbus Blue Jackets who they should be keeping an eye on – David Jiricek.

Jiricek, 20, recently expressed clear frustration while speaking to The Athletic's Aaron Portzline following his most recent demotion to the AHL. Here is what the top prospect had to say on the matter: 

"I played good hockey in the NHL. I’m an NHL player right now. That’s my opinion, that I should be in the NHL right now."

“I see guys from the same draft, like Simon Nemec (New Jersey Devils) and (Kevin) Korchinski (Chicago Blackhawks) … they get a chance on the power play. They play a ton of minutes in the NHL. Those are different teams, so different situations, but I can compare with them. I just want a chance to play like that.”

It is understandable that Jiricek is not jumping for joy over his latest demotion. While that does not mean that he has requested a trade, it also would not hurt for the Sabres to express interest in him.

Jiricek has the tools to become a top-pairing defenseman at the NHL level, hence why he was drafted sixth overall in 2022. He is also a right-shot defenseman, which is something that the Sabres need, as noted above. The Sabres also have an array of strong forward prospects who could interest the Blue Jackets. With Jiricek, they could have a long-term answer for their top four if he were to hit his full potential. 

In 36 games this season with the Blue Jackets, Jiricek has one goal, nine points, and a minus-1 rating. While with the Cleveland Monsters this season, he has three assists in four contests. 

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