Major Rutger McGroarty trade fell apart as his reputation gets worse!

Winnipeg Jets’ top prospect Rutger McGroarty has requested a trade and it looks like the team is trying to move him. However, it was just reported that a transaction fell through over the weekend, as the Jets informed the interested club about the player and that team did not like what they heard from McGroarty’s camp about guarantees over ice time and a spot in the NHL. This was spoken about on the Winnipeg Sports Talk:

McGroarty was the Jets’ top pick, 14th overall, in the 2022 NHL Draft and was also a Hobey Baker Award nominee. He has 91 points in 75 games with the University of Michigan in the past two seasons, and if it weren’t for his attitude issues, he would be a top target to go after.

But it looks like things have not changed. Enough that the team linked to McGroarty have backed down.

In the past, McGroarty was linked to the New Jersey Devils and it feels like several suitors could look into the possibility of acquiring him. However, they could be turned off by many citing concerns over McGroarty’s developmental path and overall relationship with the club.

In a potential trade for McGroarty, who captained Team USA to World Junior gold in January, the Jets are reportedly seeking more pressing needs than another draft pick, including a right-shot defenseman.

Back in December, McGroarty sounded excited about his future in Winnipeg.

“I just felt loved by everybody (in the organization),” he said then.

I have to wonder what changed along the way… and so much so that clubs are also changing their minds about him when they speak with the Jets.