When Winnipeg Jets prospect forward Rutger McGroarty requested a trade before even making his NHL debut, many connected the former first round pick to the New Jersey Devils. The Devils’ prospect pool isn’t what it once was. A bevy of promotions to the varsity roster and a few trades involving projected elite talent have transformed the crop of prospects from one of the NHL’s best to a middling pool. McGroarty is probably more NHL-ready than he is a prospect, but is a Devils trade worth it at this point?
For starters, the Devils’ only need remaining this summer is a top-six forward. However, labeling McGroarty as a top-six forward before he’s even stepped on NHL ice seems premature.
Still, McGroarty is your prototypical goal scoring power forward who plays with the edge that New Jersey fans would always welcome to their team.
Reports indicated that McGroarty was a candidate to be traded by or at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. However, he remains property of the Jets.
So, what do the scouts think?
In speaking with our sister site across the country, San Jose Hockey Now, one scout explained before the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft. He didn’t think the Sharks would even trade the 14th overall pick in a one-for-one deal in exchange for McGroarty. The Sharks probably didn’t anticipate Sam Dickinson to drop to them at 14th overall, but the point stands.
Ironically, McGroarty was the 14th overall selection at the 2022 NHL Draft.
Another scout — who is from neither San Jose or Winnipeg — explained before the 2022 NHL Draft that a primary concern with McGroarty is his skating.
“His skating is so bad. It’s awful,” scout No.2 said to San Jose Hockey Now. “He might be the worst skater out of everybody in the first round. Worse than [Conor] Geekie. Troublesome. Like it could keep him from playing [in the NHL].”
In the two years since he has been drafted, McGroarty has to have at least improved, right?
“Hasn’t improved [enough],” the first scout said.
Alright, so McGroarty isn’t a great skater. However, he has other desirable qualities. He’s heavy in the offensive zone and a relentless attacker who knows how to fill the net. His elite goal scoring and playmaking for his age are still desirable qualities.
So what would it cost the Devils to acquire the University of Michigan product?
Take the Cutter Gauthier trade for example. The Philadelphia Flyers were able to retrieve Jamie Drysdale and a 2025 second-round pick.
Well, McGroarty isn’t nearly as well regarded as Gauthier is, therefore, he’d come at a cheaper price.
On the idea that perhaps the Devils could swap McGroarty for his Michigan buddy, Seamus Casey, one scout tells New Jersey Hockey Now, “I wouldn’t sell Casey short.”
Interesting. The Devils prospect defenseman was taken in the same draft as McGroarty, just 32 selections later.
However, Casey has developed beyond his draft value into a reliable defender in all three zones who can distribute well from the blue line and is a quality puck-mover.
He’s seemingly willing to develop in the Devils’ system and will be an excellent addition to Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec as part of the young core on defense when he’s ready to become a full-time NHLer.
“I think for me, whether I’m in Utica — whatever the staff feels is best for me where I can fit in, it’s a challenge and I think it’s the next step for me to get better at honing my craft at the next level,” Casey explained to New Jersey Hockey Now. “The American Hockey League is a great league, and it’s developed players since it’s been founded. I welcome any challenge I can get myself into.”
So what’s a cheaper cost to Drysdale and a second round pick in 2025? Certainly, it’s not any of the defenseman the Devils just signed in the offseason. It’s absolutely not Dougie Hamilton, and both Hughes and Nemec aren’t going anywhere. Speculating here, but perhaps Jonas Siegenthaler on his cheap $3.4 million contract for the next four years is enticing to Winnipeg. Couple it with a third round pick, and perhaps the Devils have something, although they’d be short a left-handed defenseman.
At forward, it’s certain that restricted free-agent Dawson Mercer is too valuable to move for McGroarty. The Devils won’t make that deal. Perhaps former first round pick and Devils prospect Chase Stillman is of interest to Winnipeg in a package.
The Devils are continually linked to the Jets prospect forward. However, Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald claims he’s done shopping for the summer. Perhaps a potential McGroarty Devils trade is too good not to engage in. Although, scout concerns with McGroarty very well may align with Fitzgerald’s train of thought.
We’re only halfway through July. Well see what the rest of this summer brings, and if McGroarty is ever traded at all at this point.
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