The David Jiricek era is here, folks.
Practice News & Notes
Head coach Brad Larsen suggested that David Jiricek, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, will make his debut Friday when the Blue Jackets host the Boston Bruins.
#CBJ Larsen didnt explicitly say that Jiricek would make his NHL debut tomorrow, but when asked about his shot, he said he hopes Jiricek gets five of them off tomorrow. Sounds like Jiricek will play.
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) October 27, 2022
He later confirmed it on 97.1 FM The Fan.
Larsen also said on 97.1 that David Jiricek "is in, for sure" on Friday. It will be his NHL debut. #CBJ
— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) October 27, 2022
On that same appearance, he said Elvis Merzlikins will start Friday's game.
Elvis Merzlikins starts Friday vs. Boston, per Brad Larsen on 97.1. #CBJ
— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) October 27, 2022
Here are the lines and power play units from practice today:
#CBJ lines in practice today:
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) October 27, 2022
Gaudreau-Roslovic-Laine
Chinakov-Sillinger-Voracek
Nyquist-Jenner-Johnson
Foudy-Kuraly-Robinson
Werenski-Peeke
Gavrikov-Jiricek
Bayreuther-Gudbranson
#CBJ lines in practice today:
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) October 27, 2022
Gaudreau-Roslovic-Laine
Chinakov-Sillinger-Voracek
Nyquist-Jenner-Johnson
Foudy-Kuraly-Robinson
Werenski-Peeke
Gavrikov-Jiricek
Bayreuther-Gudbranson
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reported that defenseman Jake Bean's absence from practice today was due to an illness.
#CBJ D Jake Bean did not practice today due to an illness.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) October 27, 2022
Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch reported that goaltender Joonas Korpisalo will start for the Cleveland Monsters Saturday against Syracuse.
Apparently plans have changed and Korpisalo isnt playing for @monstershockey Friday in Utica, NY, but he is expected to start Saturday in Syracuse. #CBJ
— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) October 27, 2022
Sound bites
- Larsen on Rolsovic moving up to the top line: "Yeah, there's nothing set in stone yet I wanted to see it in practice. I tried it a little bit in the third period [against Arizona], and I liked some of it. I thought Jack's game has improved the last two or three games." Larsen added, "his legs are moving better. He's attacking the game better. He's making better decisions."
- Larsen on Jiricek: "The way he plays, he's very assertive. He's aggressive. He trusts himself." Larsen added that he talked to the staff in Cleveland and they said that he kept improving and that the one word they used to describe Jiricek was competitive.
- Larsen on the team's loss to Arizona: "We were tired, and then the next thing [you say] well, no excuses. I agree. But the reality is we started the weekend [with] three games in four nights. We get two days off, we play five [games in] eight [days]. We looked like a tired team. If it was two or three guys, then we have some issues, but it was from my captain all the way to our goalie. We just looked like we were out of gas. I wish we didn't but we did."
- Jiricek said his mom Lenka and his dad Libor are flying in from Czechia to see him make his NHL debut.
Jiricek will make his debut Friday night at 7 p.m. at Nationwide Arena. The game will be broadcast on NHL Network, Bally Sports Ohio, and 97.1 FM The Fan.
