A trade may not be imminent, but the Blue Jackets and their former first-round draft pick appear headed that way.

What do the Blue Jackets want in a David Jiricek trade ... third AHL season in Cleveland after starting the season as one of two extra NHL forwards in Columbus. Some wondered whether he’d even report to Cleveland after being assigned to the AHL ...

It’s a tradition unlike any other, and no, not the Masters. We’re talking about members of Flyers Twitter scrambling to their keyboards in unison to explain why the Flyers NEED to trade for Player X,

Chris Johnston appeared on TSN Early Trading Tuesday. As part of the conversation between Johnston and Gino Reda, David Jiricek‘s name came up as did discussions about his being on the trade market.

Hearing that the Sabres are one of the clubs reportedly in the mix for Jiricek is not particularly surprising. It is no secret that they could use a high-impact right-shot defenseman, and Jiricek has all the tools to become one at the NHL level.

It’s pretty clear already that the Oilers’ biggest need before the trade deadline is adding a right-shot defenceman to play alongside Darnell Nurse.  In an article by Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal,

With December on the horizon, trade talks are beginning to heat up around the NHL, with a young defenseman’s name hopping up on a few trade boards. The Columbus Blue Jackets have David Jiricek in their system.