F Rutger McGroarty - WBS Penguins, AHL (2022, 14th, WPG; traded to PIT)

[William H Bonney]

I imagine he signs as part of a likely Michigan exodus. He would be served to improve his skating before growing pro, but it's not demonstrably better after 2 college season, so maybe it's something he can improve once in the Jets organization.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Wasn't the same after the injury. Probably won't be helpful in the playoffs for Winnipeg, but with a full offseason he can gain back whatever was lost during the injury. He was absolutely on fire before the injury and the Hobey Baker favorite.

 

[Atoyot]

Wasn't the same after the injury. Probably won't be helpful in the playoffs for Winnipeg, but with a full offseason he can gain back whatever was lost during the injury. He was absolutely on fire before the injury and the Hobey Baker favorite.

At the time the 10 Hobey Baker finalists were announced before post season play began, McGroarty had 33 points in his 19 games since returning from injury. He put up much better numbers post injury than he did pre-injury.

 

[CrosbyStaalsAndNash]

Wasn't the same after the injury. Probably won't be helpful in the playoffs for Winnipeg, but with a full offseason he can gain back whatever was lost during the injury. He was absolutely on fire before the injury and the Hobey Baker favorite.

• 6g 17pts in 13 games between Oct. 7 and Nov. 17 (injury game) - 1.3pts/game
• 10g 34pts in 20 games between Jan. 12 and Mar. 23 - 1.7pts/game
• 5g 9pts in 7 games at the WJC between Dec. 26 and Jan. 5 - 1.3pts/game
  • he scored 1g 1a in the gold medal game

What would you say he lost from his injury?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

At the time the 10 Hobey Baker finalists were announced before post season play began, McGroarty had 33 points in his 19 games since returning from injury. He put up much better numbers post injury than he did pre-injury.

• 6g 17pts in 13 games between Oct. 7 and Nov. 17 (injury game) - 1.3pts/game
• 10g 34pts in 20 games between Jan. 12 and Mar. 23 - 1.7pts/game
• 5g 9pts in 7 games at the WJC between Dec. 26 and Jan. 5 - 1.3pts/game
  • he scored 1g 1a in the gold medal game

What would you say he lost from his injury?

Interesting. Stats definitely appear deceiving then in this situation.

Completely weak WJC. 9 points in 7 games was probably about the least amount of points he could've had. His stats are weird since the World Juniors. Had a weekend where he had 8 points in 2 games. Has 2 points in his last 5 games of the season.

Wasn't the injury like a spleen or ribs or something like that? Conditioning is something that a player will often lose after getting injured midseason and missing a bunch of time. Might explain some of his inconsistent play.

 

[Torts]

I imagine he signs as part of a likely Michigan exodus. He would be served to improve his skating before growing pro, but it's not demonstrably better after 2 college season, so maybe it's something he can improve once in the Jets organization.

Might not be as many as expected. Of all the drafted underclassmen on the team - Casey would be the most sure fire thing to turn pro after this season. Reports are Brindley has interest in returning for Junior year and who knows who else follows suit.

Rutger could return, be captain of the team and be top option vs bottom 6 NHL or AHL opportunities. Let's see how it plays out!

 

[William H Bonney]

Might not be as many as expected. Of all the drafted underclassmen on the team - Casey would be the most sure fire thing to turn pro after this season. Reports are Brindley has interest in returning for Junior year and who knows who else follows suit.

Rutger could return, be captain of the team and be top option vs bottom 6 NHL or AHL opportunities. Let's see how it plays out!

Totally fair. I don't think any of them would be harmed by another college season and trying to run it back for a title run has to be enticing since none of them are guaranteed to step into big NHL roles immediately.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think McGroarty would start out top 9 next season in Winnipeg, unless Bowness hates him as much as Perfetti.

But he's also a different type of player than Perfetti that plays with more grit, so I think he has a very good chance to be top 9 in the NHL if he comes out.

Doubt he'd be hurt by another college season, but I also don't see how it makes sense. Michigan this season wasn't what they were the last few and next season probably won't be getting any better. I don't see why he'd stay.

 

[Torts]

I think McGroarty would start out top 9 next season in Winnipeg, unless Bowness hates him as much as Perfetti.

But he's also a different type of player than Perfetti that plays with more grit, so I think he has a very good chance to be top 9 in the NHL if he comes out.

Doubt he'd be hurt by another college season, but I also don't see how it makes sense. Michigan this season wasn't what they were the last few and next season probably won't be getting any better. I don't see why he'd stay.

Fanbase and the whole team themselves would probably say the team underperformed the first 3/4 of the season. If the team played more consistently all season (like they played in the B1G playoffs) they would have been ranked top 5 all year.

With seniors/grad transfers leaving + sophomore class staying + a recruiting class that includes three top 90 players with Hage, Gridin and Humphreys - one could argue next season is a more talented roster.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Fanbase and the whole team themselves would probably say the team underperformed the first 3/4 of the season. If the team played more consistently all season (like they played in the B1G playoffs) they would have been ranked top 5 all year.

With seniors/grad transfers leaving + sophomore class staying + a recruiting class that includes three top 90 players with Hage, Gridin and Humphreys - one could argue next season is a more talented roster.

Theoretically if everyone stays, sure. But the roster definitely wasn't as talented as the last few seasons. It probably was less talented than at least 2-3 of the real college hockey blue bloods this year.

Realistically too, New Jersey is going to push for Edwards to come out and Tampa will push for Duke to come out. They risk them going to UFA if they don't sign them this summer. Casey, Nazar, McGroarty, and Brindley have only completed two years. There's not a rush. I would probably suggest Casey and Nazar need another year and McGroarty doesn't. Brindley I think could go either way. It could be a situation where if one or two go or stay, that dictates it for the others. Hughes is already 22. The older players as UDFA's get less attractive to NHL teams the older they are. I think for him he should probably come out now. He's older than someone like Truscott actually.

And then they lose Truscott and Warren from the defense. I think Gridin could have a big freshman season. Hage will be good too. Humphreys I see being a good player eventually, but he might struggle with the physical adjustment as he's not the biggest or best skater. Also plays a lot on the perimeter. I think regardless the team will be good, but McGroarty himself won't be enough so if he stays to win he better be sure the others are staying with him.

 

[Bonin21]

Goaltending looks to be a huge question mark for them. Again. And D.

 

[Herby]

Rutger should return for another year but we will see, he's probably not far enough along to play regularly for Winnipeg righty away, it's more understandable for him to leave now after sophomore, but we are seeing more kids come back for their junior year and then figuring to jump into an NHL lineup with little or no AHL time after their junior year.

There aren't any Power, Beniers, Hughes brothers, Fantilli with this Michigan group, guys who are going to jump right into an NHL role.

I hope we have some people who think it out like Faber and Snuggerud and realize playing in Ann Arbor at age 20 is going to be better than playing for the Manitoba Moose, Rockford Ice Hogs, Cleveland Monsters and Utica Comets.

 

[oldwpgjet]

I think McGroarty would start out top 9 next season in Winnipeg, unless Bowness hates him as much as Perfetti.

But he's also a different type of player than Perfetti that plays with more grit, so I think he has a very good chance to be top 9 in the NHL if he comes out.

Doubt he'd be hurt by another college season, but I also don't see how it makes sense. Michigan this season wasn't what they were the last few and next season probably won't be getting any better. I don't see why he'd stay.

I like McGroarty but can't see him making the team next season. I hope you're right but Lambert has had a pretty good season and hasn't got a sniff yet. I expect him to make the team next year. Again , I hope he does make the team but they seem to make guys pay their dues in AHL first and learn the system. Also , Barlow probably knocking at the door as well . I like Chibrikov as well but there isn't room for everyone. Excited about this playoff, so many teams look ready including the Jets. What a crapshoot it will be. There will be some heartbreak, just too many good teams, hopefully leafs and oilers ( heartbreak) and not the jets.

 

[CrosbyStaalsAndNash]

With Frank Nazar signing with Chicago earlier this afternoon, I feel that bodes well for McGroarty signing his ELC too.

Michigan probably won't be strong enough to contend next season with a guy like Nazar gone.

 

[Bonin21]

With Frank Nazar signing with Chicago earlier this afternoon, I feel that bodes well for McGroarty signing his ELC too.

Michigan probably won't be strong enough to contend next season with a guy like Nazar gone.

If they have McGroarty+Brindley+Casey+Hage+Gridin, they will be a contender again.

 

[CrosbyStaalsAndNash]

If they have McGroarty+Brindley+Casey+Hage+Gridin, they will be a contender again.

fair point

 

[TLEH]

With both Brindley and Nazar leaving, I'll guess its only a matter of time for Rutger (as well as Seamus Casey)

 

[MMC]

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Surprising, but he had an uneven year. Might want to have a dominant season. Same reason for Snuggerud.

 

[TLEH]

Well there goes that lol. Only took 49 minutes to be wrong. My girlfriend will love that one.

I am surprised he's going back.

 

[CrosbyStaalsAndNash]

Disappointing to hear, but I understand it. He'll have a shot to captain the team and win an NCAA championship. and unless there's a serious injury or 3, I can't see him realistically making the Jets for the playoffs when Perfetti and Gus will likely be healthy scratches.

The cost of cup contending depth!

 

[William H Bonney]

I'm a little surprised he chose to stay after Nazar and Brindley left, but this is best for his development. He really needs to improve his feet and pace, and Michigan will rely on him more as a playmaker next season.

 

[JiggsNY]

I would be slightly concerned as a Jets fan. It seems like most of this team's core is turning pro except for him. Michigan will be kind of re-building next year. Def not going back for another shot at winning the championship. Thought he'd at least head to AHL next year.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

I would be slightly concerned as a Jets fan. It seems like most of this team's core is turning pro except for him. Michigan will be kind of re-building next year. Def not going back for another shot at winning the championship. Thought he'd at least head to AHL next year.

Michigan will be retooling. I expect them to get a solid portal player now like Whitelaw or Wilmer; Hage, Gridin, & Humphreys coming in. They should be able to be competitive and make the tournament, unless Casey leaves and then the defense is totally screwed.

 

[Bonin21]

I would be slightly concerned as a Jets fan. It seems like most of this team's core is turning pro except for him. Michigan will be kind of re-building next year. Def not going back for another shot at winning the championship. Thought he'd at least head to AHL next year.

Umm...

If Casey and Hughes stay they're still absolutely loaded.
McGroarty/Casey/Hughes/Moldenhauer/Schifsky/Hage/Gridin/Humphreys
Plus probably Whitelaw and maybe more from the portal