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

[ello]

I find it very interesting how much better Nazar is faring so far this season in pro hockey despite being solidly behind Rutger on every depth chart (Michigan, WJC) and producing less at those lower levels as well

I guess some tools can really separate players once they reach the pros

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I find it very interesting how much better Nazar is faring so far this season in pro hockey despite being solidly behind Rutger on every depth chart (Michigan, WJC) and producing less at those lower levels as well

I guess some tools can really separate players once they reach the pros

Or you're putting a lot into a small sample of games.

Compare their preseasons (a higher level of hockey), and it's drastically in favor of McGroarty. Nazar had a terrible preseason with the Hawks. Playing as poorly as he did was probably the only way he could've missed the Hawks NHL team. McGroarty had one of the best preseasons in the NHL. Made the NHL team because of it.

Almost like hockey (and sports) goes through random spells where results show up and others where they don't, and it's stupid to make a lot of like 5-10 games here or there for any player.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

His skating has always been overblown by those that claim it’s an issue. Clunky or whatever, he doesn’t seem to be unable to move around the ice.

How’s his skating?

Not an issue - he’s not unable to move around the ice.

Lol

I guess I am more than qualified skating wise to be an nhler.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

Or you're putting a lot into a small sample of games.

Compare their preseasons (a higher level of hockey), and it's drastically in favor of McGroarty. Nazar had a terrible preseason with the Hawks. Playing as poorly as he did was probably the only way he could've missed the Hawks NHL team. McGroarty had one of the best preseasons in the NHL. Made the NHL team because of it.

Almost like hockey (and sports) goes through random spells where results show up and others where they don't, and it's stupid to make a lot of like 5-10 games here or there for any player.

“You’re putting too much into a small sample size!!!”

“If you look at the small sample size I like, the preseason, or as most people refer to it “not real hockey” mcgroarty looks like a beast. Also preseason is a higher level of hockey than regular season AHL, cause of reasons.”

Insightful as always pavel!

 

[Nogatco Rd]

I am not a Jets fan and I never cared in the least about Rutger McGroarty before all of this. But he deemed himself special and forced his way off of a team after they selected him in the draft, despite proving nothing. He thought that he should be gifted a spot on a team that is currently 1st in the league. He forced his way off of a well-managed franchise (not some hell hole like Buffalo or Columbus, where his career might stagnate).

That is a helluva window into a guy's character, and a perfectly legitimate reason to want to see him fail. So I stand with the masses, cheering on his hubris-induced failures.

Didn’t force his way out of anywhere, he never signed in Winnipeg. Surprised there are people who still need this explained to them

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

“You’re putting too much into a small sample size!!!”

“If you look at the small sample size I like, the preseason, or as most people refer to it “not real hockey” mcgroarty looks like a beast. Also preseason is a higher level of hockey than regular season AHL, cause of reasons.”

Insightful as always pavel!

You twisted my words for partisan gain.

Nowhere did I advocate for that type of rhetoric. I said you could easily turn it around.

The initial point on this topic wasn’t for me. I am not the one pushing for that type of comparison.

And you knew that.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

Didn’t force his way out of anywhere, he never signed in Winnipeg. Surprised there are people who still need this explained to them

Here’s the relevant quote from Mr mcgroarty hisself:

““My agents talked to them, and then I talked to them,” McGroarty told reporters. “I wanted to be upfront and honest with them, and just tell them that I wasn't going to be signing with them,” McGroarty said. “I got nothing but respect for those guys, they handled it with a lot of class, and I wish them nothing but the best.””

Relevant video on the class quote.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

You twisted my words for partisan gain.

Nowhere did I advocate for that type of rhetoric. I said you could easily turn it around.

The initial point on this topic wasn’t for me. I am not the one pushing for that type of comparison.

And you knew that.

None of that makes your post more insightful pavel.

I transparently quoted your complete post in my response. People can read both your content and my obviously satirical post and make their own minds up.

Keep up the content pave! It’s amazingly entertaining ,even if not insightful.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

McGroarty should have stayed in College another year rather than being "Farmed" out to Wilkes Barre Scranton

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

None of that makes your post more insightful pavel.

I transparently quoted your complete post in my response. People can read both your content and my obviously satirical post and make their own minds up.

Keep up the content pave! It’s amazingly entertaining ,even if not insightful.

Of course my post is insightful.

I’m showing how silly it is to make a comparison based on a small sample of games. You compare based on one set, one player looks much better. The second set, the other does. How does any of that logically compute? It doesn’t and that’s why small samples of games are not a good way to compare players.

Plenty insightful. You may just not understand the very tough logic behind that.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

Of course my post is insightful.

I’m showing how silly it is to make a comparison based on a small sample of games. You compare based on one set, one player looks much better. The second set, the other does. How does any of that logically compute? It doesn’t and that’s why small samples of games are not a good way to compare players.

Plenty insightful. You may just not understand the very tough logic behind that.

Lol

pavel, I want to let you know I have nothing but respect for you, you’ve handled this back and forth with a lot of class.

 

[Nogatco Rd]

Here’s the relevant quote from Mr mcgroarty hisself:

““My agents talked to them, and then I talked to them,” McGroarty told reporters. “I wanted to be upfront and honest with them, and just tell them that I wasn't going to be signing with them,” McGroarty said. “I got nothing but respect for those guys, they handled it with a lot of class, and I wish them nothing but the best.””

Relevant video on the class quote.

What does that have to do with anything? If anything it proves my point. He never forced his way out because he never signed in the first place.

 

[Michael Farkas]

How has his skating looked at AHL level? The clip of him getting himself into his spot on the PP to rip that goal looked like a bit of a clunky stride.

I'm........sorry (?) that you're going through *waves hands around* this...

But to answer the question directly without referencing playing minor leaguers in the preseason and all this other noise...his skating has been - fine-ish - in the AHL. Obviously, that's a different pace than regular season NHL, so he doesn't look quite as far behind in the A. The thing about him isn't just skating. Being a great skater doesn't directly translate to anything by itself, of course. It's all part of a larger package of skills. Similarly, McGroarty needs to put a couple of pieces together to work within the frame work of his athletic/skating package.

I guess, said another way, even if he becomes an above average skater, even if he stops catching passes with the weight on the center of his blades hindering his explosivity, etc. it won't make much of a difference unless there's more to his game that he can build around. Translatable skills.

So, to answer your question...skating is good enough at the AHL level. Top speed and explosivity don't just happen (and the latter likely won't). The lacking explosivity is probably an element of what you're seeing that makes it "clunky"...but there's a core strength issue in there too I think still...at least, I hope that's what it is.

 

[Hattrick Kane]

Nazar’s production compared to McGroarty’s in college is mainly because Nazar got no power play time. It’s likely why he signed to get out of there.

He’s now killing it on the power play and penalty kill in Rockford, and is likely to get a call up should he keep it up.

 

[Leafshater67]

Yager is playing with future janitors and grocery baggers. McGroarty is playing with pro hockey players (and let’s conveniently forget that he had 6 in 6 preseason games).

I take offence to that. I’m an electrician now

 

[Shawn Heins 44]

As a Pens Fan, I completely understand the Jets Fans and their joy watching him struggle. Lets be honest, every fanbase would react the same way.

On a hockey level, I am not concerned at all. These young guys need time. There once was a guy scoring 1 point in 55 games on his first NHL season. He has now over 900 games and 455 points in his career (Nino NIederreiter). It just takes time to figure things out, not everyone is ready at the same time.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

I haven’t watched any of the WBS games the last few weeks. Any update on him? Is he improving?

I see he is still at 1g, 2 an and -5 after 12 games.

When is this kid gonna get going?

 

[LemonSauceD]

RJ Umberger 2.0

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

RJ Umberger 2.0

Would love to see Rutger mimic unnerves first year in the AHL. 65 pts and 21 goals. Seems like an impossible target at the moment.

umberger played centre, so had that going for him too.

Would be great to see him pan out like umberger, a year ago I think expectations were quite a bit higher than RJ.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

RJ Umberger 2.0

Not a bad player , RJ went around the same spot in the draft too , lots of middle 6 C's go around that spot. RJ would be a good outcome for him , not ideal obviously but not bad at all

Would love to see Rutger mimic unnerves first year in the AHL. 65 pts and 21 goals. Seems like an impossible target at the moment.

umberger played centre, so had that going for him too.

Would be great to see him pan out like umberger, a year ago I think expectations were quite a bit higher than RJ.

Yeah that's the thing , his stock was quite high , but all things considered him becoming that type of player would be normal

 

[LemonSauceD]

Would love to see Rutger mimic unnerves first year in the AHL. 65 pts and 21 goals. Seems like an impossible target at the moment.

umberger played centre, so had that going for him too.

Would be great to see him pan out like umberger, a year ago I think expectations were quite a bit higher than RJ.

Also forced a trade out of their original team but RJ was more of a case of jealousy due to his linemate Kesler getting more money on his ELC despite putting up less points and taken lower in the draft.

I see a lot of parallels. 6’2, center, choppy skating, offensively gifted, but leave you wanting more. RJ was pretty decent but he did flame out a lot quicker than expected.

 

[StreetHawk]

Would love to see Rutger mimic unnerves first year in the AHL. 65 pts and 21 goals. Seems like an impossible target at the moment.

umberger played centre, so had that going for him too.

Would be great to see him pan out like umberger, a year ago I think expectations were quite a bit higher than RJ.

Sometimes these ncaa kids think they can bypass the A. Then they go down and realize how hard it is down there.

Good wake up call.

This is the right level for him.

 

[Joe Hallenback]

The Jets had a plan for Rutger. They wanted him to work on his skating in the AHL, same guys that are and have helped Lowry, Stanley etc...same guys that going to work with or working with Barlow. They would have taken baby steps with him this year and put no pressure on him and let him develop at his own pace.

That is typically there plan and they have been cranking out players for us and other teams for awhile now.

Not sure what he is doing down in WBS but they likely have a similar system so I will assume he is a guy that needs a year if not 2 in the AHL to work out some issues.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

I don’t see you in the Colby Barlow thread. Why is that?

What is with the personal responses. This thread is about Rutger. Either add value to the thread, or just read it. No need to attempt a personal back and forth pavel!

Let’s avoid the pettiness, talk hockey and leave prospects outside of the jets top 5 u-24 players to their own thread!

Hope the rangers right their ship buddy, they are looking rough!

The Jets had a plan for Rutger. They wanted him to work on his skating in the AHL, same guys that are and have helped Lowry, Stanley etc...same guys that going to work with or working with Barlow. They would have taken baby steps with him this year and put no pressure on him and let him develop at his own pace.

That is typically there plan and they have been cranking out players for us and other teams for awhile now.

Not sure what he is doing down in WBS but they likely have a similar system so I will assume he is a guy that needs a year if not 2 in the AHL to work out some issues.

Great post and it’s looking 100% bang on. I can not phantom any circumstance in which rutger plays in pitts this year, next year looks like some significant time in the AHL as well.

 

[Ace]

You are the one that bumps McGroarty’s thread every two weeks because of him refusing to sign with your team.

If you are going to try to attack McGroarty every two weeks, someone has to defend against the ridiculous bitterness.

If we waited to bump the thread until every night he has a good pro game we’d never see it again.