It sounds like the Winnipeg Jets could make a move on Rutger McGroarty sooner rather than later.
“Somebody told me, be ready right after the Final,” Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts podcast on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after the Florida Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.
The Jets’ first-round pick in 2022, McGroarty has expressed concerns about the team’s plan for him. The American forward plans to return to the University of Michigan for a third season next year.
Two of McGroarty’s Michigan teammates, Chicago’s Frank Nazar and Columbus’ Gavin Brindley, suited up in NHL games following their collegiate season in 2024. That did not happen for McGroarty, and there was no guarantee he’d start next season in Winnipeg. An AHL start was considered a possibility.
“If you’re McGroarty, you see your friend get a chance to make their debut and you don’t get to do it, there’s probably some level of FOMO. And then, you hear next year ‘You know, we’re not sure you’re ready yet,’ you’re not guaranteed a spot, and if you have a choice between going to a third year at Michigan or playing in the AHL in Manitoba, I don’t know a 20- or 21-year-old kid who wouldn’t pick … Michigan,” Friedman said.
The Jets do not own a first-round pick in this week’s draft. That could change with a McGroarty trade.
“I do think there’s a lot of interest there,” Friedman said. “The Jets are going to be able to make a pretty interesting deal here. Somebody said to me their leverage is gone now that everybody knows (McGroarty wants out). I’m not buying that.
“I also think they’re going to be able to use this if they want to move into the first round or maybe there’s a deal where you can do both, you get a first-round pick and established players.”
McGroarty could be one of the first moves in what’s shaping up as a wild week in the NHL, with the opening of the buyout window, the draft and free agency all on tap.
“I think this is going to be a bananas week,” Friedman said. “I think there are going to be things that happen here that we absolutely do not see coming. On one level, I’m kind of bracing for the crazy. On another level, I’m really looking forward to it.”
Could Penguins move Tristan Jarry?
Now that the Pittsburgh Penguins have signed Alex Nedeljkovic to a two-year extension, there is trade speculation surrounding fellow goalie Tristan Jarry.
Teams in need of a goalie could have their eyes fixed on Jarry after the Ottawa Senators acquired Linus Ullmark from the Boston Bruins on Monday.
“I wonder if he’s in play out there, too,” Friedman said.
Jarry has four years left on a contract with an average annual value of $5.375 million.
Jarry, 29, has a career goals-against average of 2.70 and a save percentage of .912, but has been hampered by injuries in recent years.
Guentzel watch
All eyes are on the Carolina Hurricanes as forward Jake Guentzel gets set to hit unrestricted free agency on July 1.
The Hurricanes could trade his rights before he becomes a UFA.
“I had someone tell me there’s a lot bubbling under the surface there,” Friedman said. “There are some really good teams that you wouldn’t think can do it that are wondering, ‘How can we do it?’”
The Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks have previously been mentioned as possibilities, but those are teams in rebuilds. Perhaps some contenders are poised to swing a big move.
Buyout buzz
Teams can start buying players out of contracts on Wednesday night.
“I think (Jeff) Skinner is the one we’re all watching,” Friedman said.
The Buffalo Sabres forward has three years left on a contract with an average annual value of $9 million.
Other names that have been mentioned as possibilities are Oilers goalie Jack Campbell, Jets defenceman Nate Schmidt and New York Islanders forward J-G Pageau.
Are Jackets a fit for Nelson?
After winning the Calder Cup for a second year in a row with the Hershey Bears on Monday, coach Todd Nelson could be a candidate for the Columbus Blue Jackets’ open job.
Nelson previously worked with new Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Thrashers.
The 55-year-old Nelson has brief NHL head coaching experience with the Oilers (46 games in 2014-15).
“I do think he’s at least on their radar,” Friedman said.
