F Rutger McGroarty - University of Michigan, NCAA (2022, 14th, WPG; traded to PIT)

[TLEH]

I think WPG fans can boo Rutger for it all they want, its annoying for them, but in a lot of the situations where this happens, its usually the teams fault. It was the Blackhawks fault that Kevin Hayes didn't sign. It was the Flyers fault that Gauthier didn't sign. Its likely going to be WPGs fault that Rutger gets traded. There are also situations that is obviously not the teams fault (Fox, Vesey, others)

NCAA guys have leverage.. so keep that in mind when dealing with them. They aren't just assets you can jerk around, they have a verifiable path to UFA and picking who they want.

 

[57special]

Normally I'm all for workers choosing where they go BUT the NHL is not the standard workplace in any sense. What your mentioning would result in something very similar to european football. One or two teams win the league titles year in and year out and MAYBE other teams get one every 5 years or so. The draft is a good thing for the league.

I also want to point out that I have no issue with what Rutger is doing. This kind of thing doesn't happen enough that people should be getting so worked up about it.

In McGroarty's case, he would be asked to sign a two way contract, which would probably pay him 80-90K in the AHL. Sounds like a lot until you add up expenses that a world class athlete needs to incur, and you have to factor in that once they sign the contract their team has total control of where and when they can play. Teams can decide to trade him at any moment, necessitating that both he and his wife/gf/kids also move at the drop of the hat. Until he is a FA, he has no protection from that. I am all for players using whatever leverage they have to improve their working conditions.

I think WPG fans can boo Rutger for it all they want, its annoying for them, but in a lot of the situations where this happens, its usually the teams fault. It was the Blackhawks fault that Kevin Hayes didn't sign. It was the Flyers fault that Gauthier didn't sign. Its likely going to be WPGs fault that Rutger gets traded. There are also situations that is obviously not the teams fault (Fox, Vesey, others)

NCAA guys have leverage.. so keep that in mind when dealing with them. They aren't just assets you can jerk around, they have a verifiable path to UFA and picking who they want.

It's not really UFA, but i get your point.

 

[TLEH]

It's not really UFA, but i get your point.

Yeah true. Can sign with anyone**

 

[FlyguyOX]

I think WPG fans can boo Rutger for it all they want, its annoying for them, but in a lot of the situations where this happens, its usually the teams fault. It was the Blackhawks fault that Kevin Hayes didn't sign. It was the Flyers fault that Gauthier didn't sign. Its likely going to be WPGs fault that Rutger gets traded. There are also situations that is obviously not the teams fault (Fox, Vesey, others)

NCAA guys have leverage.. so keep that in mind when dealing with them. They aren't just assets you can jerk around, they have a verifiable path to UFA and picking who they want.

"It's your fault you didn't force minutes to the 20yo who demanded it while you were in a stanley cup playoff run!"

 

[TLEH]

Honest question, do you think the Jets should have put McGroarty in the lineup last year for the last 2 games (there weren't many left after his NCAA season finished), when the Jets were a 4th overall team that was still trying to win home ice advantage and had players with NHL experience in the press box?

Uh yeah lol

 

[vildurson]

Honest question, do you think the Jets should have put McGroarty in the lineup last year for the last 2 games (there weren't many left after his NCAA season finished), when the Jets were a 4th overall team that was still trying to win home ice advantage and had players with NHL experience in the press box?

Home ice advantage does not matter that much anymore for playoffs. Would have been easy out for them from this situation.

 

[TLEH]

1) Home ice isn't even that big of a deal.
2) Getting him in the organization is way more important
3) The experienced guys he would be replacing aren't the difference between winning or losing some regular season games

 

[gojetsgo]

1) Home ice isn't even that big of a deal.
2) Getting him in the organization is way more important
3) The experienced guys he would be replacing aren't the difference between winning or losing some regular season games

it's funny how tkachuk mid interview after winning the stanley cup pointed out how important/underrated home ice was...

 

[wetcoast]

Imagine that, allowing employees to choose where they work! Outrageous!

Because sports is exactly like every other work situation....not really.

 

[67 others]

it's funny how tkachuk mid interview after winning the stanley cup pointed out how important/underrated home ice was...

It's pretty important. The coach with home ice decides the line matches

 

[bigdog16]

it's funny how tkachuk mid interview after winning the stanley cup pointed out how important/underrated home ice was...

Glad Winnipeg got their home ice advantage in playoffs. Worked out

 

[gojetsgo]

Glad Winnipeg got their home ice advantage in playoffs. Worked out

that's beside the point...

 

[Marioesque]

1) Home ice isn't even that big of a deal.

When the difference between teams is thin, it can make the difference. The finals just proved it. Florida had more control of matchups and won by a hair.

 

[TLEH]

When the difference between teams is thin, it can make the difference. The finals just proved it. Florida had more control of matchups and won by a hair.

Road teams won multiple games in the finals

 

[Thechozen1]

Road teams won multiple games in the finals

Except the last Game which mattered the most.

 

[gojetsgo]

hmmm who do we believe when talking about the home ice advantage, the guy who's been to b2b finals and just won the stanley cup or random hf posters...

 

[TLEH]

We’ve lost the point. McGroarty would likely be as good or better than the fringe guy he would replace and it’s more important to get him in

 

[CaptainUgly]

Why are we talking to Boston? They have nothing to offer. No picks, prospects, or NHL ready players they are willing to give up.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Why are we talking to Boston? They have nothing to offer. No picks, prospects, or NHL ready players they are willing to give up.

Boston did acquire the #25th overall pick. That would be a better consolation than if McGroarty becomes a UFA and the Jets get a 2nd round pick. But who knows what else they can pry off of Boston?

 

[JustYourRegularGuy]

Why are we talking to Boston? They have nothing to offer. No picks, prospects, or NHL ready players they are willing to give up.

What are you talking about? Boston has quite a few talented players/picks in the next few years to trade.

They could trade you guys Merkulov, Lysell, maybe even Poitras if the Bruins' front office think McGroarty think he'll be the better future piece.

Then you add-in guys like Mason Lohrei that could be had if Boston really wants your guy.

So yeah, Boston definitely has the pieces to acquire McGroarty if they deem him an important grab.

 

[cneely]

What are you talking about? Boston has quite a few talented players/picks in the next few years to trade.

They could trade you guys Merkulov, Lysell, maybe even Poitras if the Bruins' front office think McGroarty think he'll be the better future piece.

Then you add-in guys like Mason Lohrei that could be had if Boston really wants your guy.

So yeah, Boston definitely has the pieces to acquire McGroarty if they deem him an important grab.

Zero chance they give up Lohrei. Poitras is a stretch. The other 2 could probably be had though.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

I'm excited for his next season: either owns the NCAA again or is playing in the NHL. Fun for all except Jets fans

 

[Hockeyville USA]

McGroarty on the Michigan roster for 2024-25, so he'll be in Ann Arbor for his junior year, unless we get a last minute trade of his rights.

 

[lanky]

McGroarty on the Michigan roster for 2024-25, so he'll be in Ann Arbor for his junior year, unless we get a last minute trade of his rights.

Seems unlikely that any team is going to offer him a roster spot AND pay the price the Jets are expecting.

 

[um]

Just looked at the last regular season game, game log:

Kupari, Lambert, Niederreiter, Vilardi, Gustafsson, and Chibrikov all played under 15 minutes.

The other April games weren't loaded either.

Clearly there was no room for McGroaty on this stacked roster of superstars. And there was definitely nobody who could have used some rest before round 1.

Jets displayed a real lack of confidence in their roster finishing off the season strong. Playing McGroaty was going to make very little difference. It was a low risk high upside situation, and they fumbled it big time.