Trade targets for moving McGroarty

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/06/2024 (467 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

LAS VEGAS — The Rutger McGroarty sweepstakes appear to be in full swing. And it appears to be a matter of when, not if, the Winnipeg Jets will part ways with their top forward prospect.

What better time and place than here in Sin City, where NHL executives have converged for the 2024 NHL Draft. Whether it’s jockeying for position in the draft itself, setting the stage for July 1 unrestricted free agency by trimming salary or changing the construction of a roster, this week presents a prime window for big moves to be made.

The revelation that the Jets and McGroarty are headed for a divorce, the result of fundamental differences on his development path, has sent shockwaves through the hockey world. It shouldn’t be long before both sides have a chance to voice their respective opinions on where, why or how things went sideways, but for the time being, the focus is on finding a situation that is palatable for everyone.

This situation is one that the Jets need to salvage as best they can. There’s a reason McGroarty was chosen 14th overall in 2022 and has a skill set that projects well to the NHL game. Winnipeg has a valuable asset a lot of teams are going to be interested in.

The Jets have several needs, including an upgrade on defence and/or a middle-six forward and a backup goalie. They are also looking for a way to shed a bigger salary to clear a bit of cap space — Nate Schmidt, Neal Pionk and Alex Iafallo all come to mind — and attaching that player to a potential deal involving McGroarty might be a way to do so.

Winnipeg could try and weaponize the asset as a way to get back into the first round on Friday night after moving that pick to the Montreal Canadiens in the trade for centre Sean Monahan. It’s also possible the Jets are happy to take their chances with the 37th-overall selection, which comes just five picks into the second round on Saturday.

Given the “win now” situation the Jets are in, trying to acquire a player who can help sooner than a first-rounder, who projects to get into the lineup two or three years down the road, seems like a logical conclusion. But it’s important to remember this deal doesn’t need to be made this week unless it makes sense for the Jets, who hold McGroarty’s rights for two more years.

With that in mind, here are eight potential landing spots for McGroarty:

Columbus Blue Jackets

There are plenty of University of Michigan Wolverines connections here, including Gavin Brindley and Adam Fantilli, close friends and former linemates of McGroarty. It’s an up-and-coming program under new management, so there will be options available to consider. The fourth-overall pick isn’t likely in play and neither will top defence prospect David Jiricek, who had a great season with the Cleveland Monsters.

Speaking of Blue Jackets first-rounders, defenceman Denton Mateychuk and centre Cole Sillinger could be on the Jets’ radar. There have been some whispers about a potential reunion with Patrik Laine, who remains in the NHL/NHLPA assistance program. While that would make for a great story, the cap number for Laine (US$8.7 million for the next two seasons) would complicate matters, even if there is salary retained.

Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes also have a new general manager in Eric Tulsky and he’s got some substantial holes to fill on his roster with a lot of pending unrestricted free agents. For a group that needs to add scoring, McGroarty would be on their wish list and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Nikolaj Ehlers were as well.

The Jets have been linked to pending restricted free agent forward Martin Necas and he makes sense on a number of levels. Providing he’s willing to sign a long-term deal in the US$7 million range, Necas would bring a nice blend of size, skill and speed to the forward group. Necas is looking for a larger role and would help offset the potential loss of someone like Ehlers.

New York Islanders

You never know what Lou Lamoriello might be up to, but adding an injection of youth to one of the NHL’s oldest forward groups would make sense — especially in a market like New York where McGroarty’s personality and presence would have a big stage. This is an organization that hasn’t had a first-round pick since 2019, so McGroarty would instantly upgrade the prospect pool.

Right-shot defenceman Ryan Pulock is signed for six more years at US$6.15 million and would be the type of impact blue-liner the Jets would love. Could the Dauphin product be had for a package including McGroarty? He’d have to agree, since he has a no-trade clause in his contract. The Islanders also hold the 20th-overall pick on Friday, which could be of interest to the Jets.

New Jersey Devils

This team has already been active, stabilizing the goalie position with Jacob Markstrom. The Devils are looking to regroup after missing the playoffs last season following a second-round appearance in 2023. McGroarty could change the complexion of a talented forward group.

Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald has expressed an interest in being open to moving the 10th-overall pick in 2024. Right-winger Alexander Holtz would be of interest as part of the return. Dawson Mercer would be on the wish list, but he’s not likely an option to be moved.

Utah Hockey Club

The group that relocated from Arizona is looking to make a splash and bringing in the captain of the United States world junior team makes sense on a number of levels, especially when you consider the personality.

Utah has a ton of draft picks during the next several drafts; they also have Manitoba product Conor Geekie in the pipeline. Geekie had an excellent Western Hockey League season and was dominant after joining the Swift Current Broncos. He, too, plays a power forward game and improved his consistency. Being a Manitoban is a bonus but it wouldn’t be the driving force behind acquiring him. Other pieces could be in play, as Utah has plenty of salary cap space and no NHL D-men under contract yet.

Anaheim Ducks

How about a reunion with Cutter Gauthier, whose path McGroarty is essentially looking to follow? The Ducks are in the latter stages of their rebuild and McGroarty is someone Pat Verbeek would have admiration for.

The Ducks have a number of young defence prospects with appeal. Centre Mason McTavish is likely untouchable, but would that still be the case if the trade also included Ehlers? Trevor Zegras is coming off a tough season, but his skill level makes him a good bounce-back candidate. Defence prospects like Tristan Luneau, Pavel Mintyukov, and Jackson Lacombe could be of interest.

Montreal Canadiens

Why include a Canadian market if McGroarty isn’t all that interested in coming to Winnipeg?

There is recent trade history between Cheveldayoff and Canadiens GM Kent Hughes. McGroarty is close with the Hutson family and Lane is a top defence prospect preparing for his rookie season, so having a fellow graduate of the U.S. National Development Team Program might be something McGroarty finds intriguing.

The same goes for playing for a coach like Hall of Famer Martin St. Louis. McGroarty would bring an element the Canadiens forward group doesn’t have much of. Montreal has a surplus of NHL-level D-men and is one of the teams with two first-round picks.

Buffalo Sabres

They currently own the 11th overall pick and hold the longest active streak of non-playoff seasons. McGroarty is someone who could eventually flourish playing alongside JJ Peterka or Tage Thompson.

Former Winnipeg Ice winger Zach Benson has the hockey sense, finishing ability, defensive awareness and motor that would make him a fan favourite with the Jets.

 

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

X: @WiebesWorld

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X: @mikemcintyrewpg