Flyers extend newly acquired David Jiricek to 2-year deal

Danny Briere stayed busy today after a tough loss to the Washington Capitals last night in the middle of this heated playoff race.

The Flyers announced they have extended David Jiricek with a 2-year deal worth $1.5 million a year:

BREAKING: We have signed defenseman David Jiricek to a two-year contract extension worth an annual average value (AAV) of $1.5 million. #LetsGoFlyers

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) April 1, 2026

Jiricek, 22, was acquired on March 6th for winger Bobby Brink. A player-for-player trade that many Flyers fans (including myself) have been asking for. With the plethora of wingers the Flyers have had (and still have) in their system (and roster), this was just something they eventually had to do. Take a shot at a defenseman. And they did.

Jiricek is a 6’4 right-handed defenseman who is very good with the puck offensively. In just 10 games with the Phantoms, he has 2G-8A for 10 points.

His offensive game right now isn’t the question. He would be the Flyers’ #1 PP QB option if he were up on the team, and I don’t think that’s debatable.

As much as I’ve loved Ristolainen’s game this season, he should be nowhere near your top PP unit. I’m sorry.

DAVID JIŘIČEK SNIPE!! 2ND GOAL AND 6TH (!!) POINT AS A PHANTOM HALF WAY THROUGH HIS 5TH GAME.#LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/3Wt6kIaqc8

— Flyers Clips (@Flyers_Clips) March 19, 2026

The main issue with Jiricek is the skating. It looks clunky. It looks awkward. It doesn’t look like someone who was taken with the #6 overall pick.

Now, nobody is saying he needs to fix his skating issues in one summer completely…but he needs to show some massive improvements if he wants to take a run at a job in camp next year—something Danny Briere has already said he could possibly do.

This deal is good for both sides. The Flyers get a 22-year-old right-handed shot defenseman who is 6’4 and does the one thing they BADLY need, and Jiricek gets a nice little 2-year extension and a shot to make the big club next year.

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