Adam Jiricek will make his NHL debut on Friday against the Dallas Stars, and coach Jim Montgomery believes he is already ready to quarterback one of the St. Louis Blues' power play units.
The St. Louis Blues have high expectations for Adam Jiricek, and although he may be entering his NHL career sooner than they anticipated, they aren't going to shelter him completely.
Practice lines indicate he'll start on the third pairing alongside veteran Cam Fowler, but given Jiricek's progress, it wouldn't be surprising to see him earn minutes alongside Philip Broberg.
One thing is certain: coach Jim Montgomery will give Jiricek the reins to run a power play.
"When you have a thoroughbred, you let'em out of the stable."
Jiricek is exactly that. Standing 6-foot-3, Jiricek has the size and skill to be a top defenseman in the NHL. At just 20 years old, Jiricek has proven at countless levels and tournaments that he has the offensive and defensive game of a modern-day NHLer, mixed with the skating and athletic ability to be a high-end player.
With Logan Mailloux out, the Blues need a defenseman to run a power play unit. Broberg will likely quarterback the top unit alongside Robert Thomas, Dylan Holloway, Jimmy Snuggerud and Mason McTavish, but Jiricek should find himself with Jake Neighbours, Connor McMichael, Pavel Buchnevich, and Dalibor Dvorsky.
Last season in the OHL, Jiricek posted 19 goals and 59 points in 55 games. Of Jiricek's 19 goals and 59 points, nine goals and 31 points came on the power play. His 31 points led all OHL defensemen in 2025-26.
With the vision to distribute the puck and a heavy enough shot to threaten a goaltender, Jiricek is a difference-maker on the man advantage.
There may be parts of his game he'll have to refine in the NHL, and there will definitely be learning curves, but what Jiricek has shown throughout his hockey life is that he can be a threat offensively.
Montgomery wants to see Jiricek play his game and be a difference maker.
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