ST. LOUIS -- Sure,it's the preseason. Sure, these games don't count.
Butthey actually do. They count to those trying to win a job.
Andif Adam Jiricek doesn't win a job right out of training camp, it'snot because the first-round pick (No. 16) in the 2024 NHL Draft isn'tgood enough or isn't ready. It's more because it's a numbersgame, and it's because the St. Louis Blues can afford to allow thetalented Czechia-born right-hander to simmer in the American HockeyLeague and build minutes – huge minutes.
Butboy oh boy, did the 20-year-old really step to the plate and show Blues management and coaching staff thathe's putting his best foot forward to make the decision on aseventh defenseman as arduous as possible.
TylerTucker was all but locked in as the seventh D-man, but his recentright knee injury, a knee tweak that coach Jim Montgomery called,opened the door for Jiricek and Calle Rosen , who scored the lone goalin a 1-0 preseason win over the Chicago Blackhawks at EnterpriseCenter on Thursday.
Jiricek,who has battled injuries in his young career but was able to have ahealthy season last year and play a ton, has played in preseasongames before. Last year, to be exact. But Thursday's performancewas his best yet.
"Iwould say I'm a step ahead," Jiriceksaid."I have like a whole year, almost like 100 games (playing) lastyear. If you play 100 games, you just (are) building your confidence.I'm like more experienced, I'm older, I'm heavier and justeverything together comes. I feel like I'm a couple steps aheadthan I was last year."
OnThursday, heplayed 17:04 and was a plus-1 with four shots on goal (six total),which was second on the team behind Aleksanteri Kaskimaki's six; hefinished with two takeaways, including one that sprung OskarSundqvist and Kaskimaki for a 2-on-1 that Blackhawks goalie ArvidSoderblom made a terrific save on Kaskimaki, and Jiricek had zerogiveaways.
"Ifelt good all over," Jiriceksaid."It's great to play here. We have great players. When the greatplayers are also like good teammates, it feels good and I feel goodout there. Trying to do my best to play my best hockey and I thinkit's going good. I feel pretty good out there."
Jiricekplayed with Rosen, and it was evident how he demanded the puck,craved the puck and made things happen with the puck when he got it;whether it be moving it up ice, putting shots on goal, running thesecond power play unit or making a pass setting someone else up for aquality opportunity.
"Hisability make plays with time, without time, just his brainoffensively," Montgomery described Jiricek's game. "Thinks at ahigh level. His deception. The move he made at the blue line to walkin, let that wrist shot go. Just an exciting, young player.
"Hehas a zest for the game. He loves the game. He looks at the game likeit's almost like he's an artist and the ice is his canvas. It's funto watch."
Isit fun enough to watch from the start of the season? The NHL deadlinefor 23-man rosters is Monday 4 p.m. (CT) and Jiricek could be – andthe way he's playing, should be – on it for the Blues. But is itwise to do so? Only if he's playing.
Dependingon the severity of Tucker's injury, Jiricek could be here just tosoak up the NHL player life and get acclimated and go to Springfieldif Tucker's injury is short-lived. Otherwise, it's probably bestto have Rosen here as the insurance policy as the extra D. And Jiricek is waivers-exempt, meaning the Blues can send him to the AHL without waivers. It's the part of the business that stinks, but it's reality.
Butit's been up to Jiricek to make this decision as difficult aspossible. Thursday's performance all but certainly made sure that decision would be a difficult one.
The Blues traded for Brandon Carlo as an insurance policy in case Jiricek wasn't ready. Not only does he look ready, but they have depth with a solid addition in Carlo.
"It'smy dream," Jiriceksaid."I'm doing everything I can do to do that as soon as possible.It's just to play my best hockey and the decision is not on meanymore. I'm doing everything I can. It's all I can manage.That's all I can do."
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free . Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here . And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
