Scott Wheeler says he thinks Rutger McGroarty is staying at Michigan and will not turn pro this season. (35 minute mark)

10 comments

1. If true, jets might need to start thinking about trading him which absolutely blows

2. Cue the overreactions.

   There is 0 worry in my mind that the first NHL contract McGroarty signs will not be in Winnipeg. He has not displayed any sort of discontent and he was obviously having a blast in the development camp this summer. As Wheeler says, it’s likely that he’s gonna be the captain of Michigan next year, so I understand why he’d want to stick around 1 more year to embrace that honour.

   If he doesn’t sign this spring, he will sign his first contract with the Jets in spring of 2025. Mark my words.

3. Was anyone expecting him to play for us this season or just fans wishing outloud? I wouldn’t be worried now about this.

4. he’s too good for the ncaa, so not the best

5. Once he plays next year he only has to play 1 more season of college and can sign with any NHL team in the league, he’ll get pick of the litter. Who wouldn’t sign him to an ELC? It’s not the end of the world but If im the jets I’m aggressively trying to sign him this year, and if he plays that 4th year you need to trade him in the summer. To much value will be lost if he plays out his college career.

   The optimist in me is having a hard time justifying why he’d want to play a 3rd year, what’s the point? He’s already 1.5 points per game, and sure people can say “oh to be UFA he needs to play 2 more year in college” well yeah. If he’s already committed to 1/2 of that, why not just play the 1 more year and sign literally wherever you want in the entire league?

   But every time he does media he seems excited to be a jet. Was there any signs Vesey showed he wasn’t going to sign with Nashville before he fucked them over? Or wheeler with Arizona?

6. The kid is going to be a stud, let him develop and try to get negotiations going as early as appropriate.

7. He says he thinks. So he doesn’t know lol. I hate speculation.

8. Hes the captain and a dude with a massive personality, hes probably absolutely loved in that locker room and wants to stay and win with the boys. Stop worrying.

9. Was in the crowd of “if not this year the jets are fucked” before realizing it’s 2 more years until he could fuck off elsewhere. So not the end of the world.

   With that being said, still sucks. Kid can play and would likely be an instant upgrade on this forward group

10. He’s probably not going to play much if everyone is healthy anyway. Even next year spots will be limited so not too worried about it. He’ll be expected to jump straight into the lineup out of college and contribute so extra development time in Michigan isn’t a bad thing.