In a turnaround reminiscent of that of Cutter Gauthier At the start of the year, the young Jets hopeful Rutger McGroarty would be on the verge of leaving Winnipeg before even playing a game with the team that drafted him.
Murat Ates The Athletic’s editor explained in more depth last week what could have led to this situation.
According to his report, the Jets were ready to offer McGroarty a pro contract last April but did not guarantee him a spot on the big club to finish the season and make the playoffs. Meanwhile, he saw his Michigan teammates, Frank Nazar et Gavin Brindleyagreed to terms with Chicago and Columbus and played in the NHL.
Was it McGroarty’s ego that took a hit? It seems so.
That said, with the draft taking place Friday and Saturday in Las Vegas, it was the perfect opportunity to trade with all 32 GMs under one roof. Many believed that McGroarty was going to be traded during these 48 hours but that was not the case.
However, it was close, and according to information fromElliotte Friedman, the most reliable insider in the NHL, two teams almost got him. The Canadian and the Wild.
Obviously the 5th overall pick was not in play but there is reason to believe that a trade around the 21st overall pick could have materialized.
Elliotte says Montreal and Minnesota are the two teams that came close to getting Rutger McGroarty in the draft.
He adds that Carolina, Chicago and Philadelphia tried to get Demidov as high as No. 4 – the teams knew the Canadiens would take him if he went as high as No. 5.
It remains to be seen if Kent Hughes will come back to the fore in the coming days or weeks.
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