3 teams that should trade for Rutger McGroarty
Rutger McGroarty is a prospect that a few teams could trade for soon.
There are rumors that the Winnipeg Jets will trade 2022 first-round pick Rutger McGroarty. There is a disconnect between them when it comes to his development.
McGroarty is one of their top prospects and is ready to turn pro after a great year at Michigan. He was a productive power forward and his team made it to the Frozen Four with him being one of their best players.
He wants to have a chance at the NHL if he is going to leave his senior year at Michigan behind but the Jets aren't sure if they can promise him that.
If they do end up trading him, a few teams should be interested. These are the three teams that should want him the most:
The New Jersey Devils make a lot of sense for Rutger McGroarty
The New Jersey Devils would love a power forward like Rutger McGroarty. He’d fit right in over there as that team has a lot of skill. They just traded for a good goaltender in Jacob Markstrom which should help all of their skaters play with more confidence.
If he were traded there, he’d be a nice cheap option to play in a top-six role. He’d also be good for the middle-six depending on how Sheldon Keefe would want to line them up.
Centers like Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes love big power forwards like McGroarty who can create space for them while contributing offensively. With other good wingers like Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier, and Dawson Mercer amongst others in the mix, this group could be dangerous.
McGroarty is familiar with fellow Michigan alumni like Luke Hughes and Seamus Casey. They are all looking to become impactful NHLers and it would be interesting to see them do it together.
The Chicago Blackhawks should think about adding this good player
The Chicago Blackhawks are going to spend a lot of time looking for the right players to put around Connor Bedard. He is their franchise player that could develop into one of the best in the league.
Rutger McGroarty is a good first-round talent who could help Bedard over the years. Whether it be as a power forward on his line at even strength or a power play companion, it is a good fit.
Depth is also going to be key on this team as Bedard moves along. Adding a stud like McGroarty would do wonders for them. If he ended up as a middle-six winger, you could start to see Davidson’s plan come together.
Would Winnipeg give him up to a division rival? Well, the Hawks aren’t that threatening right now and it may be a few more years before they are. If Winnipeg is smart, they’ll take the best trade offer despite who it’s from.
Adding Rutger McGroarty makes sense for the San Jose Sharks
Both the New Jersey Devils and Chicago Blackhawks are farther along than the San Jose Sharks. With that said, the Sharks would also be a great fit for Rutger McGroarty.
They aren’t going to have a winner in San Jose for a long time but it could come a bit quicker if they are smart with their transactions in the coming year or two.
They selected Will Smith with the fourth overall pick in 2023. He went to Boston College for one year and was one of the best players in the NCAA. The only college player that was definitively better was Macklin Celebrini of Boston University and the Sharks will select him first overall.
Adding McGroarty in with those three would make it a college hockey super party in San Jose’s system. All of them would develop into NHL players together with an incredibly high ceiling.
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