The status and future of Winnipeg Jets top prospect Rutger McGroarty was a big talking point coming into the 2024 NHL Draft. Many expected the Jets to move their disgruntled youngster before or during the draft but after all 225 picks were announced, McGroarty remained with the team.
McGroarty’s qualm with the Jets is that he wants to play in the NHL as soon as possible but Winnipeg has chosen not to free up a spot for him to do so. The result is McGroarty refusing to sign his entry-level deal with the club and now, per The Athletic’s Murat Ates, not attending the team’s development camp next week.
“I really don’t have an update,” Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff told the media Saturday. “Obviously, he won’t be at development camp coming up here. But, I really don’t have an update at this point.”
One team that has been very active with trades before and during the draft is the Washington Capitals. Montreal-based journalist from La Poche Bleue, Jeff Drouin, believes that the Capitals may be in the running to try and acquire McGroarty as their next move.
“It’s only a matter of time before Rutger McGroarty switches sides,” Drouin tweeted and translated via Google Translate. “My little finger tells me to watch the Washington Capitals in this matter.”
Washington has already added forwards Pierre-Luc Dubois and Andrew Mangiapane as well as goaltender Logan Thompson this summer. General manager Brian MacLellan indicated at his post-draft press conference that the team could indeed have more moves coming.
The Capitals need to replace Beck Malenstyn on their fourth line after trading him to the Buffalo Sabres for a second-round draft selection on Saturday morning. MacLellan mentioned Hershey Bears forward Bogdan Trineyev as an internal option before revealing the club may also look at other trades and free agents.
“We might go outside, too,” MacLellan said. “We’re retooling, adding prospects, and competing. Maybe [more to come].”
Washington, if they do pull off a move for McGroarty, will have the ability to give him the NHL playing time he wants. The 20-year-old winger also has familiarity with Capitals prospects Ryan Leonard, Ryan Chesley, and Ivan Miroshnichenko.
As things currently stand, McGroarty is set to return to the University of Michigan for his junior season after posting 52 points (16g, 36a) last season. A trade to a team like the Capitals would likely result in him going back on that decision.
