The Wild acquired David Jiricek from the Blue Jackets.

Jiricek was high on Daily Faceoff insider Frank Seravalli’s list of trade targets as trade rumors swirled for weeks after the 2022 No. 6 overall draft pick was unhappy with his playing time with the Blue Jackets. After playing in just 43 games last year and averaging 14:36 ​​playing time, his role has become even smaller this season, averaging 11:12 in just six games before being moved to AHL. As this happened across multiple front offices and coaching staffs, it was clear to both parties that he needed a new home.

Thanks to Jiricek, the Wild now have one of the best players on the right side of the blue line, along with Brock Faber and two other excellent defenders in Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin. It’s unclear where Jiricek will fit, especially with Faber and Spurgeon ahead of him on the depth chart on the right side.

In return, the Blue Jackets are getting a depth defenseman in Hunt to replace Jiricek on their depth chart, although he doesn’t have anywhere near Jiricek’s potential. The centerpiece of the Columbus trade is the return picks, including the Wild’s upcoming first-round pick.

As mentioned earlier, Jiricek only played six games for the Wild this season, recording an assist in those games. However, he scored 2 goals and 1 assist for 3 points in 4 AHL games with the Blue Jackets’ minor league affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters.

Jiricek is in the second year of his three-year, $918,333 rookie deal.

Hunt played just one game for the Wild this season, coming off a meaningless 4-1 win over the St. Louis Blues on Oct. 15. He also has 4 assists in 9 AHL games with the Wild’s minor league affiliate, the Iowa Wild.

Hunt is in the final year of his three-year, $828,333 entry-level contract and will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.