As Denver Barkey heads back to the London Knights after spending the last couple of months watching the Philadelphia Flyers' training camp from the sidelines, he reflects on his recovery from illness and coming back a stronger player than before. The Philadelphia Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/] were one of the teams linked to David Jiricek [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/flyers-listed-as-possible-trade-destination-for-young-defenseman], but he is now officially off the board. The Columbus Blue Jackets [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/] have traded Jiricek and a fifth-round pick to the Minnesota Wild [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/] in exchange for Daemon Hunt, a 2025 first-round pick, a 2027 second-round pick, a 2026 third-round pick (from the Colorado Avalanche), and a fourth-round pick. With this move, the Wild have improved the right side of their defense. Jiricek should now be a long-term part of their blueline from here. David Jiricek [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjExMDc2MDMyMjAyMDI0NDM2/usatsi_22095061.jpg] David Jiricek Jiricek would have been an excellent addition to the Flyers, as he is a young right-shot defenseman with great upside. The 2022 sixth-overall pick has appeared in 53 NHL games over three seasons, where he has one goal, 11 points, and a minus-10 rating. While Jiricek has yet to break out at the NHL level, the 6-foot-4 defender has the potential to blossom into a top-four defenseman, at least. It will be fascinating to see how much of an impact he makes for the Wild from here.
