First rounder David Jiricek suffers a lacerated spleen during game!

The current season hasn’t been easy on defenseman David Jiricek. When the Columbus Blue Jackets traded the blue liner to the Minnesota Wild back in November, Jiricek had hopes of playing more and being a difference maker with his new team.

He has however only taken part in six games with the Wild, and has been playing mostly with the farm team in Iowa. And now, he won’t get the chance to be called back up before the end of the calendar because his season is over.

The Wild has reported that Jiricek suffered a lacerated spleen during an AHL game on Saturday and has to undergo a long recovery. Therefore, the former first rounder is out of the rest of the campaign.

While he is expected be ready for the start of the 2025-26 season, this has to be a tough blow for Jiricek. Many beliebed the changed of scenery would benefit him and his career.

Jiricek’s draft pick rights were traded to Columbus in the massive trade that sent defenseman Seth Jones to the Chicago Blackhawks. Jiricek was selected sixth overall in 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He was later traded to Minnesota, this past November, in return for Daemon Hunt, a conditional first round pick in the 2025 draft, a third round pick in the 2026 draft, a fourth round pick in the 2026 draft and a second in the 2027 draft.

Some fans in Minnesota aren’t happy with the trade, seeing how Jiricek has kept struggling.

He simply can’t seem to catch a break.

In a total of 59 NHL games, Jiricek has collected just two goals and 13 points, along with a total of 30 penalty minutes.

Let’s hope things get better now, starting with a successful recovery and that he can return to the Wild and show what he’s got.

Get well soon, David.