Speculation: 2023-24 Free Agency/Trade Thread II

[The Mighty Duck Man]

I don’t see the interest from either side, could be very wrong but doesn’t seem like a great fit. Winnipeg likely wants to use him as a piece to upgrade their lineup, not the other way around. On our end, he’s a good prospect but doesn’t really address a need and the fit isn’t great. I’m skeptical they’d go big for yet another left shot left wing.

 

[robbieboy3686]

I would guess that like Gauthier, his value has roughly held up to his draft position from a couple years ago - meaning you are likely looking at a mid first or equivalent package. I can pretty easily picture a team in the 12-20 range, moving their pick for McGroarty if the opportunity arises.

I wonder if something like Lacombe + Oilers 1st gets you on the dance floor?

I would do that 100%

 

[anezthes]

I wonder if something like Lacombe + Oilers 1st gets you on the dance floor?

I know he's a RW but do we really need more left-handed forwards?

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

I don’t see the interest from either side, could be very wrong but doesn’t seem like a great fit. Winnipeg likely wants to use him as a piece to upgrade their lineup, not the other way around. On our end, he’s a good prospect but doesn’t really address a need and the fit isn’t great. I’m skeptical they’d go big for yet another left shot left wing.

Doesn’t he play RW at least? I mean I’m sure we’d love to go RHS forward…. But there isn’t exactly a ton available

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Can’t say I remember ever hearing this players name before.

Pre-2022 draft, McGroarty was touted as a great captain, great motor, and a player that coaches love. The downside for him was skating, preventing him from being more dynamic. That's what kept him outside to the top-10 discussion and projected him around the early 20s, such as MyNHLdraft.

Here's a long form article on McGroarty by Scott Wheeler that substantiates the above description:

Meet Rutger McGroarty, the Nebraska kid who made history in the NHL Draft

McGroarty became Nebraska's second-ever drafted player.

www.nytimes.com

Jets got McGroarty earlier at 14. It looks like he's developed very well in college. I was surprised he wanted to return for his junior year. No idea what's happened between the two, McGroarty and the Jets, but it could be similar to Cutter's situation with Philly where Philly didn't want to burn a year of his ELC this past season. At least McGroarty is letting the Jets come away with assets instead of silently becoming a UFA and the Jets get nothing.

From an April 15, 2024 article about McGroarty returning to Michigan for his junior season:

It’s a decision that will leave some Jets fans concerned, given the number of Wolverines stars who have already signed in the NHL. Jets fans will also remember former Winnipeg prospect Nathan Smith; the Jets’ third-round pick in 2018 was traded to Arizona in 2022 after it became clear that he didn’t want to sign in Winnipeg.​

​

Winnipeg is a deep team, particularly up front and on the wings. Sean Monahan and Tyler Toffoli are the only 2024 UFAs on the roster, which already leaves Cole Perfetti, the No. 10 pick in 2020, on the outside looking in. With fellow 2022 first-round pick Brad Lambert and 2021 second-round pick Nikita Chibrikov making big strides with Manitoba in the AHL this season, it’s difficult to look at the Jets roster and see immediate NHL playing time. Whereas Nazar has already played (and scored) in the NHL for Chicago and Brindley will make an immediate debut for Columbus, McGroarty doesn’t have that same runway in Winnipeg.​

 

[The Mighty Duck Man]

Doesn’t he play RW at least? I mean I’m sure we’d love to go RHS forward…. But there isn’t exactly a ton available

I don’t think he did in Michigan but I see he’s listed as one on hockeydb so maybe he could, but the left shot is more troublesome. You probably cant be that particular in the draft but you should be when making trades.

I was actually starting to come around a bit, depending on what we’d give up, but then I read there might be some angst over being blocked in Winnipeg, which is why he went back in the first place. If that’s the case then I’d definitely be out, he wouldn’t have a spot here either.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

I don’t think he did in Michigan but I see he’s listed as one on hockeydb so maybe he could, but the left shot is more troublesome. You probably cant be that particular in the draft but you should be when making trades.

I was actually starting to come around a bit, depending on what we’d give up, but then I read there might be some angst over being blocked in Winnipeg, which is why he went back in the first place. If that’s the case then I’d definitely be out, he wouldn’t have a spot here either.

Ya I mean it depends on his reasonings and if we’re allowed to talk to him…. Ultimately I think he could be a Vatrano replacement if we don’t have plans to keep him around(but if he wants to go pro this year that prob takes that out of the equation)

I mean if you can get it done with a late 1st + pieces like our RFA and stuff you prob just take the talent and figure out the rest later

 

[Smirnov2Chistov]

McGroarty would be an amazing pickup. He is what’s needed in this top-6

 

[Boo Boo]

McGroarty would be an amazing pickup. He is what’s needed in this top-6

I would take him but isn’t he basically a worse mctavish with less skills and who cant skate?

 

[robbieboy3686]

Pre-2022 draft, McGroarty was touted as a great captain, great motor, and a player that coaches love. The downside for him was skating, preventing him from being more dynamic. That's what kept him outside to the top-10 discussion and projected him around the early 20s, such as MyNHLdraft.

Here's a long form article on McGroarty by Scott Wheeler that substantiates the above description:

Meet Rutger McGroarty, the Nebraska kid who made history in the NHL Draft

McGroarty became Nebraska's second-ever drafted player.

www.nytimes.com

Jets got McGroarty earlier at 14. It looks like he's developed very well in college. I was surprised he wanted to return for his junior year. No idea what's happened between the two, McGroarty and the Jets, but it could be similar to Cutter's situation with Philly where Philly didn't want to burn a year of his ELC this past season. At least McGroarty is letting the Jets come away with assets instead of silently becoming a UFA and the Jets get nothing.

From an April 15, 2024 article about McGroarty returning to Michigan for his junior season:

It’s a decision that will leave some Jets fans concerned, given the number of Wolverines stars who have already signed in the NHL. Jets fans will also remember former Winnipeg prospect Nathan Smith; the Jets’ third-round pick in 2018 was traded to Arizona in 2022 after it became clear that he didn’t want to sign in Winnipeg.​

​

Winnipeg is a deep team, particularly up front and on the wings. Sean Monahan and Tyler Toffoli are the only 2024 UFAs on the roster, which already leaves Cole Perfetti, the No. 10 pick in 2020, on the outside looking in. With fellow 2022 first-round pick Brad Lambert and 2021 second-round pick Nikita Chibrikov making big strides with Manitoba in the AHL this season, it’s difficult to look at the Jets roster and see immediate NHL playing time. Whereas Nazar has already played (and scored) in the NHL for Chicago and Brindley will make an immediate debut for Columbus, McGroarty doesn’t have that same runway in Winnipeg.​

Ty for this info. Appreciate It

 

[darkwingduck]

I would take him but isn’t he basically mctavish with less skills and who cant skate?

I’d take a team full of mctavishes.

 

[AngelDuck]

This idea that McTavish *isnt* going to be an impact player is pretty strange.

He’s 21 and already a solid 2nd line center. There’s no reason he can’t get a little better and be an 80-ish point player

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

I would take him but isn’t he basically a worse mctavish with less skills and who cant skate?

I thinks a lot more defensive sound and physical…. Mctavish has more skill and better skater

 

[forever1922]

Rutger is exactly the type of prospect every team targets unless they're in a rare situation where they're going to be declining and know they're going to suck for many years.

Ducks would absolutely trade a number of futures for him, help is needed in the lineup asap. Rutger, just like Cutter is exactly what the Ducks are lacking and what they have drafted in the F ranks recently.

Verbeek could pull off the best 1-2 deal combo this team has ever seen in a single season from a GM if fortunes shine on him and McGroarty wants to be on the Ducks. But even if Verbeek doesn't hijack another future all star from another franchise that would really put a frown on the rest of the league and that is true W.

I think the odds for that are actually really good. We can assume he would choose to come to the states. Ducks have so many young americans in Zegras, Terry, Colangelo, Cutter, LaCombe, Helleson, Pastujov, Nesterenko, etc. Him being a teammate and usually a linemate of Cutter throughout their development can't hurt. "He's my best friend off the ice." - Rut & Cut

 

[Static]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1804597022709911730

 

[Arthuros]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1804597022709911730

Somehow, Kevin Hayes is responsible for this too.

 

[Static]

What Winnipeg weirdo is going to go full ex on this kid? Chris thorburn? Jim Slater?

 

[Static]

Id think we would be very interested in Mcgroarty if he was a RS. He seems like a good fit for Carolina.

 

[robbieboy3686]

This idea that McTavish *isnt* going to be an impact player is pretty strange.

He’s 21 and already a solid 2nd line center. There’s no reason he can’t get a little better and be an 80-ish point player

When I watch Big Mac play. You can tell, he’s overly analytical and doesn’t flow yet. All the signs of a player who listens to his coach and tries to do what is instructed of him. I hope he’s our captain i really do. Next year he has a break out year where he stops thinking so much and just plays. Also I think he gets in 2 fights both of which will be turning points for the team.

 

[Ducks DVM]

This idea that McTavish *isnt* going to be an impact player is pretty strange.

He’s 21 and already a solid 2nd line center. There’s no reason he can’t get a little better and be an 80-ish point player

I think I’d disagree and say he’s shown flashes of being a solid 2nd line center with significant periods of belonging on a 3rd line at this point in his career. 40-ish points isn’t solid 2nd line center material, and he takes far too many stupid penalties for the position as well. He’s also too frequently lost on his positioning and defensive responsibilities. I don’t think he’d be on the 2nd line of a single playoff team.

Yes, he’s 21. Yes, he was injured. Yes, he made Strome and Vatrano look very good for a month or so. Yes, he has great potential. But no, IMO he’s only a 2nd line player on a bad team at this point in his career.

 

[Smirnov2Chistov]

I would take him but isn’t he basically a worse mctavish with less skills and who cant skate?

He certainly caught my eye with his physical play during the WJCs. Big player, physical, great reach and shot. He can definitely grow into this future team mold. I would definitely trade our late round pick and someone else..

Maybe our late first + Pitre?

 

[KelVarnsen]

I think I’d disagree and say he’s shown flashes of being a solid 2nd line center with significant periods of belonging on a 3rd line at this point in his career. 40-ish points isn’t solid 2nd line center material, and he takes far too many stupid penalties for the position as well. He’s also too frequently lost on his positioning and defensive responsibilities. I don’t think he’d be on the 2nd line of a single playoff team.

Yes, he’s 21. Yes, he was injured. Yes, he made Strome and Vatrano look very good for a month or so. Yes, he has great potential. But no, IMO he’s only a 2nd line player on a bad team at this point in his career.

I agree. He has the potential but IMO has a long way to go before he is a solid 2nd line center on a playoff team. Luckily the team is a ways off before they are a playoff team so he has time to continue to develop.

 

[Emerald Duck]

N

https://x.com/i/web/status/1804597022709911730

No way McGroarty returns two first rd picks, even two late first rounders. He was a mid first round pick, and he's developed as expected. His weaknesses involving his skating are still there.

As people have suggested, McGroarty's driving the bus here and will have some input as to where he goes, and no one wants to give up premium assets for a NCAA player unless they are sure they can sign him. Who does he think he is, Gauthier ?

 

[Boo Boo]

He certainly caught my eye with his physical play during the WJCs. Big player, physical, great reach and shot. He can definitely grow into this future team mold. I would definitely trade our late round pick and someone else..

Maybe our late first + Pitre?

Something based around our late first would be fantastic for us but I suspect that they would want a higher quality future asset or a legit roster upgrade

 

[AngelDuck]

I think I’d disagree and say he’s shown flashes of being a solid 2nd line center with significant periods of belonging on a 3rd line at this point in his career. 40-ish points isn’t solid 2nd line center material, and he takes far too many stupid penalties for the position as well. He’s also too frequently lost on his positioning and defensive responsibilities. I don’t think he’d be on the 2nd line of a single playoff team.

Yes, he’s 21. Yes, he was injured. Yes, he made Strome and Vatrano look very good for a month or so. Yes, he has great potential. But no, IMO he’s only a 2nd line player on a bad team at this point in his career.

40-ish points? That’s just flat out lying. He was on pace for 53 last year on a dreadful PP and offensive team

The rest is fair I guess. Probably true now…but won’t be for long IMO. He’s on a similar trajectory to several other high end power forwards