The Philadelphia Flyers are almost set for their season opener this week, with their 23-player roster mostly solidified. And while defenseman David Jiricek secured one of those blue line spots, his recent play immediately put that decision into question.
Briere’s Vote of Confidence Explodes
Jiricek, a former sixth overall pick, clearly had a leg up thanks to his waiver-exempt status. If the Flyers send him to the AHL, any other team in the league could snatch him up for free. GM Danny Briere admitted Jiricek didn’t “exactly impress” in camp or his two preseason appearances, but just hours before Saturday’s game went completely sideways, Briere stuck up for him.
Briere literally said during the first intermission, “I thought David played OK, didn’t get beat by anyone to lose his job. So he’s going to be given the chance.” He even added, “I thought he had a solid first period today.” But whatever “solid” start Briere saw, David Jiricek’s play absolutely cratered for the rest of that game.
A Defensive Meltdown for the Ages
What followed was a defensive meltdown, plain and simple. Midway through the second period, Jiricek got caught with a high-sticking penalty, and the Capitals immediately cashed in. But that wasn’t even the worst of it. He was on the ice for Washington’s first two goals, in the penalty box for their third, and then got beat clean for their fifth and final tally of the night! We’re talking pure disaster.
On the first goal, there was miscommunication behind the net, and Jiricek failed to tie up Andrew Cristall. Just over three minutes later, he was pressured into a turnover that practically set up Maxim Schafer’s goal. And for the grand finale, Jiricek got caught flat-footed, stuck in no man’s land, as Lynden Lakovic capped the night with the Capitals’ fifth goal. Look, Aleksei Kolosov, who got sent down to the AHL on Sunday, could’ve made a save or two, but those are plays a defenseman simply cannot let happen.
Briere’s quote after the game said it all: “He’s going to start on the roster, and it’s going to be up to him to show us that he deserves the minutes and he deserves to stay in the lineup.” Based on Saturday’s debacle, Jiricek didn’t even come close to showing that. He had “tough” nights throughout preseason, including that 11:13 at 5-on-5 against the Caps where he was a total liability. The Flyers are giving him a shot, but he’s gotta prove he belongs, or that waiver protection won’t mean a thing.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Broad Street Hockey.
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