Blues Shouldn’t Rush Prospect Adam Jiricek Into the NHL

Adam Jiricek and Calle Rosen are likely candidates to take Tucker’s spot. While the prospect Jiricek making the roster is exciting, the better move for the Blues would be to go with the veteran Rosen.

The Roster Role Matters

If Tucker were projected to be in the lineup regularly, that would change the conversation. However, he was more than likely set to be the team’s extra defenseman when the season starts. Philip Broberg, Logan Mailloux, Theo Lindstein, Colton Parayko, Cam Fowler, and Brandon Carlo are all expected to be the defensemen when the season begins. Barring an injury, that won’t change.

As a result, the 32-year-old Rosen is the perfect option for someone who will only play occasionally. His career-high in games played is 49, so he is familiar with being a role player rather than a regular starter.

For Jiricek, the Blues hope he becomes a regular when he makes his NHL debut. His offensive upside is his biggest asset right now, something he has shown in camp and in the team’s last preseason game. His development will not benefit from sitting in the press box.

Blues Open to Jiricek Making the Roster, But Who Sits When He Plays?

The Blues have never ruled out Jiricek making the roster. However, the clearest path has always seemed to be an injury to a regular. If someone like Mailloux or Parayko was injured, Jiricek could fill in as a regular in their absence.

As a depth option, who would sit when Jiricek does join the lineup? With Tucker, it seemed like he’d join it when the team wanted to give the young Lindstein a night off. Tucker would join Carlo on the third pair, and Fowler would move to the second pair.

With Jiricek, what complicates things most is the fact that he is a right-handed shot. Can Montgomery justify sitting a healthy Mailloux, Parayko, or Carlo to get Jiricek into the lineup? Does he want to sit someone like Lindstein and have two right-handed defensemen on a pairing? There is simply no scenario where a healthy player sits in exchange for Jiricek, and the pairings still make sense.

Going with Rosen, a left-handed shot, as the depth option makes things much cleaner for the Blues. What Montgomery would have done with Tucker, he can still do with Rosen.

Jiricek Needs Big Minutes to Build Off of Strong Camp

Montgomery has been very complimentary of the Czech. He is excited for him to join the NHL roster.

However, if Jiricek wants to build off this strong camp, he needs to play big minutes each game. If he is not going to play regularly at the NHL level, he should go down to the American Hockey League (AHL) and get them with the Springfield Thunderbirds. When the time comes for him to be called up, such as in an injury, then he can come up. A depth role does not check the boxes for what the young defenseman needs.

Acquiring Carlo over the summer indicated the organization still wanted to let Jiricek develop further. Of course, a strong camp can always open eyes, and credit to Jiricek for playing so well. However, he does not need to be rushed to the NHL, especially in a depth role.

Questions Will Become Answers

Each new day could bring an update that changes everything. Tucker could be ready for the season, and then neither Rosen nor Jiricek will be making the NHL roster. On the other hand, another injury could occur, changing the Blues’ decision-making process.

For now, though, Rosen should be the Blues’ answer. Jiricek’s time will come.