Jets fans chant "U.S. Backup" to Jake Oettinger After two weeks of trade talks, the Columbus Blue Jackets have finally found a suitor for disgruntled defenceman David Jiricek. On Saturday afternoon, the Jackets shipped Jiricek - the team's sixth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft - and a fifth round selection to Minnesota. In exchange, Columbus received fellow youthful blueliner Daemon Hunt and three draft picks - first, second, third and fourth round selections. Hunt, who is from Brandon, is the big piece of the puzzle heading back to Columbus, where he will join the developmental crew led by fellow small-town Manitoban Denton Mateychuk. Also going to Columbus are the four aforementioned draft picks for use in the next three drafts. Jiricek will join the Wild and be a part of a strong, youthful defence corps that now features Brock Faber, Zeev Buium and Winnipeg's Carson Lambos. It is expected that Jiricek - much like that of Hunt - will begin his time with the club's AHL affiliate following minimal play over the last month.
