Prospect Info: Rutger McGroarty, 2022 NHL Draft, #14 Overall

[Scheifele55]

As Rutger continues to play exceptionally in Michigan, I ask, what is Rutger McGroarty's realistic ceiling? Could he possibly have the potential to be a perennial all-star? Top 3 player? Top 6? I am not sure how to translate dominant NCAA performance to the NHL. I know we have had players like Jimmy Vesey who won Hobey Baker etc and never amounted to much in the NHL.

 

[Whileee]

As Rutger continues to play exceptionally in Michigan, I ask, what is Rutger McGroarty's realistic ceiling? Could he possibly have the potential to be a perennial all-star? Top 3 player? Top 6? I am not sure how to translate dominant NCAA performance to the NHL. I know we have had players like Jimmy Vesey who won Hobey Baker etc and never amounted to much in the NHL.

I think McGroarty seems like his potential is as a very good middle-6 forward, who can play on a top line with talented players. He would be a very good complement to players like Ehlers, Connor, Lambert, etc. because he plays a heavy game, but is also very good at finding teammates with passes and open space to score.

It's always hard to project comparables, but at the high end I think of players like Shane Doan or maybe Jason Robertson, for different aspects of McGroarty's game.

I also think he has a high floor, meaning it seems unlikely to me that he doesn't become at least a really effective 3rd line F on a good NHL team.

 

[surixon]

I think McGroarty seems like his potential is as a very good middle-6 forward, who can play on a top line with talented players. He would be a very good complement to players like Ehlers, Connor, Lambert, etc. because he plays a heavy game, but is also very good at finding teammates with passes and open space to score.

It's always hard to project comparables, but at the high end I think of players like Shane Doan or maybe Jason Robertson, for different aspects of McGroarty's game.

I also think he has a high floor, meaning it seems unlikely to me that he doesn't become at least a really effective 3rd line F on a good NHL team.

Yeah, I like the Doan comp for him.

 

[abax44]

Is there any in game comparison between McG and Barlow? Like, are they US/CAN versions of each other, or is one more a scorer and the other a set up man?

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

Is there any in game comparison between McG and Barlow? Like, are they US/CAN versions of each other, or is one more a scorer and the other a set up man?

Barlow is heavy heavy on shot one timers slap shots etc. a far lesser ovi - which is still great.

Rutger is not that. More physical pf - see foam comparison.

 

[jungles]

Barlow is heavy heavy on shot one timers slap shots etc. a far lesser ovi - which is still great.

Rutger is not that. More physical pf - see foam comparison.

Ah yes, Shane Foam. The frothiest of the Jets 1.0.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

Ah yes, Shane Foam. The frothiest of the Jets 1.0.

God damn autocorrect. I’m leaving it! lol.

 

[nobody imp0rtant]

As Rutger continues to play exceptionally in Michigan, I ask, what is Rutger McGroarty's realistic ceiling? Could he possibly have the potential to be a perennial all-star? Top 3 player? Top 6? I am not sure how to translate dominant NCAA performance to the NHL. I know we have had players like Jimmy Vesey who won Hobey Baker etc and never amounted to much in the NHL.

AFAIC he could be another Nathan MacKinnon.

 

[RabidOne]

God damn autocorrect. I’m leaving it! lol.

You win the internet today. From here on in McGroarty’s unoffical HF Jets nickname is Foam!

 

[bustamente]

Hope that Barlow and McG are key parts of the forward unit sooner rather than later and Salomosson does the same thing on the backend.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

You win the internet today. From here on in McGroarty’s unoffical HF Jets nickname is Foam!

Foam and smoke are gonna be fighting over #2 jersey and title of coolest nickname!

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

Is there any in game comparison between McG and Barlow? Like, are they US/CAN versions of each other, or is one more a scorer and the other a set up man?

I don't think it is that simple though Barlow is very much the shooter/goal scorer. McGroarty is an all around offensive player. I think he also plays decent defense but I'm really not sure about his defensive game.

AFAIC he could be another Nathan MacKinnon.

With a better personality.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

AFAIC he could be another Nathan MacKinnon.

Well Rutger can’t really skate so good and doesn’t play centre.

But he’ll be a Nathan mackinnon in our hearts.

 

[JetsUK]

Rutger will save our power play!

[INSERT TDL PICKUP / FUTURE ROSTER PLAYER HERE] will save our power play!

 

[Bob E]

I like the Matthew Tkachuk comparisons for McGroarty. I don’t think he scores at the same rate as MT, but would play a ‘similar’ type of game.

He seems to be developing nicely since his draft year. His skating is coming around. Now it may take him a bit longer to develop his offensive game, but a 25g/45a/70 pts player doesn’t seem unattainable to me, at some point in his NHL career. I’m sure the Jets are hoping that’s the case.

Barlow seems like a oldtime shooter / scorer to me after watching his mannerisms at the development camp. A guy that might hit 30+ goals regularly in the NHL and does all the little things right to play a more complete game.

I think a Barlow / Perfetti (Lambert) / McGroarty line in a few years could be very productive and hard to play against.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

I like the Matthew Tkachuk comparisons for McGroarty. I don’t think he scores at the same rate as MT, but would play a ‘similar’ type of game.

He seems to be developing nicely since his draft year. His skating is coming around. Now it may take him a bit longer to develop his offensive game, but a 25g/45a/70 pts player doesn’t seem unattainable to me, at some point in his NHL career. I’m sure the Jets are hoping that’s the case.

Barlow seems like a oldtime shooter / scorer to me after watching his mannerisms at the development camp. A guy that might hit 30+ goals regularly in the NHL and does all the little things right to play a more complete game.

I think a Barlow / Perfetti (Lambert) / McGroarty line in a few years could be very productive and hard to play against.

I hope he is not a Tkachuk. The one we had here 30 years ago was 1 too many.

 

[Bob E]

I hope he is not a Tkachuk. The one we had here 30 years ago was 1 too many.

He’s not the exact same player, he’s a cleaner player, but he will be a pain in the a$$ to play against. But more like a Lowry PITA.

It’s the blend of PITA and offence that will make him a management, coaches, and fan favourite. I believe he’s destined to play a top 6 role due to his playmaking and gritty game.

 

[Adam da bomb]

He’s not the exact same player, he’s a cleaner player, but he will be a pain in the a$$ to play against. But more like a Lowry PITA.

It’s the blend of PITA and offence that will make him a management, coaches, and fan favourite. I believe he’s destined to play a top 6 role due to his playmaking and gritty game.

PITA?

 

[jiho]

PITA?

pain in the ass

 

[Whileee]

He’s not the exact same player, he’s a cleaner player, but he will be a pain in the a$$ to play against. But more like a Lowry PITA.

It’s the blend of PITA and offence that will make him a management, coaches, and fan favourite. I believe he’s destined to play a top 6 role due to his playmaking and gritty game.

I agree that the comparison with M Tkachuk is stylistic, not attitude. Remarkably, McGroarty has only 1 minor penalty this season despite playing a physical and aggressive style. He's a very smart player that can complement skilled linemates. He's a very good passer with vision and he has a good shot and scoring touch around the net.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

He’s not the exact same player, he’s a cleaner player, but he will be a pain in the a$$ to play against. But more like a Lowry PITA.

It’s the blend of PITA and offence that will make him a management, coaches, and fan favourite. I believe he’s destined to play a top 6 role due to his playmaking and gritty game.

That's my hope for him. In fact, I still hope he can be converted to a C.

I am all for players who can be hard to play against/PITA. Just don't quite cross the line to dirty SOB.

 

[Whileee]

That's my hope for him. In fact, I still hope he can be converted to a C.

I am all for players who can be hard to play against/PITA. Just don't quite cross the line to dirty SOB.

 

[Crocket]

If Lambert was on Michigan right now, he'd have double the points McGroarty has, that said, I love both as prospects.

The rumor of him coming up as a 4th line winger for a playoff run is interesting but I think Barron, Kupari, and even Axl are better suited at the moment.

 

[Flair Hay]

If Lambert was on Michigan right now, he'd have double the points McGroarty has, that said, I love both as prospects.

The rumor of him coming up as a 4th line winger for a playoff run is interesting but I think Barron, Kupari, and even Axl are better suited at the moment.

I don't really see what basis there is to say this. Although it's not like I can accurately suggest what Lamber would put up.

Agreed on him joining the club. Coaches everywhere always scratch rookies for vets for 4th line roles, it's almost inevitable

 

[Atoyot]

If Lambert was on Michigan right now, he'd have double the points McGroarty has, that said, I love both as prospects.

The rumor of him coming up as a 4th line winger for a playoff run is interesting but I think Barron, Kupari, and even Axl are better suited at the moment.

That's, uh, a massive stretch.

To highlight it a bit, Lambert would be leading the NCAA by 27 points.