Play It Forward B-Roll As we inch closer to the 2024 NHL Draft, we will be diving into prospect options for the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/] to select at No. 20. On Monday, The Hockey News examined center Michael Hage [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-2024-nhl-draft-round-1-pick-20-michael-hage-prospects-ushl-chicago-steel] as a strong fit. On Tuesday, we turn our attention to right-shot defenseman Adam Jiříček [https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/755151/adam-ji%C5%99i%C4%8Dek]. Jiříček is the younger brother of Columbus Blue Jackets top prospect David Jiříček, who was taken sixth overall in 2022. Before an unfortunate injury at the World Juniors [https://x.com/ryan_sikes10/status/1739629231477256344/video/1], the Czechia native Jiříček scored one assist in 19 games for HC Plzeň. However, don’t let his stat line fool you. Jiříček played in the Extraliga, Czechia’s top men’s league, and is only 17 years old. In 2022-23, Jiříček scored 12 goals and 17 assists for 29 points in 41 games in Czechia’s U-20 league. Entering this season, Jiříček was seen as a contender for best defensive prospect of the draft. Though his offense has not yet translated to the professional level, Jiříček possesses multiple elite attributes. Described as “puck-moving” and “two-way” by EliteProspects [https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/755151/adam-ji%C5%99i%C4%8Dek], the defenseman’s vision and passing set him apart from other prospects in the 2024 NHL Draft. A high “hockey IQ” and positioning allow him to be effective in all three zones, and if Jiříček fills out his 6’2” frame, physicality will become more of a factor. Jiříček is a somewhat divisive prospect, as The Hockey News’ Tony Ferrari ranked him 12th while Recruit Scouting ranked him 41st. Most outlets, however, lean with putting him in the mid 20s. Jiříček’s availability for the Islanders at 20th overall will depend on the bullishness of other teams regarding the defenseman. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA3MjM4NTIyOTQ2NDYzMTg4/f6eswm_a4aa1m6y.jpg] Why would Jiříček be a good option for the Islanders? Similar to the previously discussed Hage, Jiříček immediately brings high-end talent to the Islanders' prospect pool. The Islanders’ top defensive prospects, Calle Odelius [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-prospect-calle-odelius-sweden-bridgeport-islanders-north-america-djugardens-if] and Isaiah George [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/isaiah-george-new-york-islanders-prospect-2022-nhl-draft-london-knights-bridgeport-islanders], picks in the 2nd and 4th rounds of 2022, respectively, simply don’t have the same raw skill. With time, Jiříček can develop his offense at the professional level and peak as a top-two defenseman, according to Smaht Scouting [https://smahtscouting.com/2024/04/07/spring-2024-nhl-draft-rankings-1/https://smahtscouting.com/2024/04/07/spring-2024-nhl-draft-rankings-1/]. This doesn’t mean Jiříček is a boom-or-bust prospect, though. His strong foundational skills as a two-way defenseman and experience against men—though limited—will help him succeed. When the Islanders take the stand and make their selection, Jiříček may be the only high-end defenseman left. TOP STORIES
