The Toronto Maple Leafs pick 23rd overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
Over the last week or so, we've been profiling players the Toronto Maple Leafs should take with their pick.
The first round of the draft is this upcoming Friday, with the second and subsequent rounds on Saturday.
Previously, we discussed Norwegian defenseman Stian Solberg, and today look at another D option in Adam Jiricek, and what makes him a top prospect, and potential Toronto Maple Leafs target.
Adam Jiricek - Prospect Profile
Born June 28, 2006, Adam Jiricek is a right-handed defenseman who is 6'2" 167lbs.
Adam Jiricek has spent the past few seasons as one of the top defensemen in this year's draft, but a knee injury suffered at the World Juniors against Slovakia impeded his momentum. Truthfully, it's not 100% certain just what teams will get in him.
Jiricek missed the rest of his season due to the injury, limiting what could have been a rise for the Czech defenseman.
Talked about highly in the years past as top talent this year, Jiricek still has some leftover goodwill for what he's done in the past, but uncertainty over his health could see the defenseman fall a bit in the draft, and potentially, to the Toronto Maple Leafs at 23.
Jiricek is one of the most uncertain players in this draft. Not only is he someone who missed a large chunk of time in a crucial part of his career, but he wasn't getting a chance to show his best hockey either.
When it comes to the NHL Draft, scouts will be having less than they would like to go on, and it could lean in Jiricek's stock in an uncertain place.
But who is Adam Jiricek, and why has he continued to command lottery interest despite an injury a less than strong season? The answer relies heavily on what Jiricek has been able to do in the past, things that teams will hope Jiricek will continue to do well at full strength in the future.