The Philadelphia Flyers have announced they have extended defenseman David Jiříček to a 2-year contract worth $1.5 million per season, according to GM Daniel Brière.
Jiříček was acquired from the Minnesota Wild at the trade deadline in exchange for Bobby Brink.
The 22-year-old defenseman was initially drafted 6th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2022 NHL Entry Draft – one pick after the Flyers drafted Cutter Gauthier.
Frustrated with his standing in Columbus, Jiříček was eventually moved to Minnesota in 2024 for four draft picks and Daemon Hunt. The acquisition of Quinn Hughes essentially blocked any path for Jiříček to get NHL minutes, thus he was on the move once again.
The Czechia native has found it difficult to translate his AHL success to the NHL. As a member of the Cleveland Monsters, Jiříček tallied 13 goals and 57 points in 84 games in the minors, but just 1 goal and 11 points in 53 games with the big club.
Similarly for the Wild, Jiříček accumulated 1 goal and 2 points in 31 games in the NHL versus 2 goals 17 points in 51 games for the Iowa Wild.
He has dealt with some injuries in his young career, which more than likely stunted his development, but he’s off to a fantastic start with the Phantoms with 2 goals and 10 points in 10 games.
It remains to be seen if we’ll see him wearing the Orange and Black this year with the Flyers healthy on the back end and currently pushing for the playoffs. However, expect the 6’4”, 205-pound, right-shot defenseman to be the next man up should the situation arise.
After the extension, the Flyers should have around $38.5 million in projected cap space for next season with players like Emil Andrae, Jamie Drysdale, Samuel Ersson, Nikita Grebenkin, and Trevor Zegras hitting restricted free agency.
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