The Islanders, Rutger McGroarty's Rights & Nikolaj Ehlers

Should the New York Islanders try to acquire to rights to Winnipeg Jets prospect Rutger McGroarty?

As the 2024 NHL Draft fastly approaches, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman let the hockey world know that Winnipeg Jets forward prospect Rutger McGroarty may be on the move.

The 20-year-old, who Winnipeg selected with the 14th overall pick at the 2022 NHL Draft, has yet to sign his entry-level contract with the club, with two years remaining to do so before they lose out on his rights.

Friedman reported on his '32 Thoughts' podcast that "his name has come up in trade discussions. The Jets have discussed trading, and other teams have discussed acquiring McGroarty's rights."

Over the last few days, the talk of the town has gone from McGroarty potentially being moved to he will be moved; it just depends on where at this point. 

McGroarty had the ability to turn pro and potentially make Winnipeg's NHL roster for 2024-25, but he has opted to return to the University of Michigan for his junior season after the Jets made it clear that their plan with him was to start him in the AHL. 

The Lincoln, Nebraska native had 52 points (16 goals, 36 assists) in 36 games this past season with Michigan before dominating at the U-20 World Juniors, captaining Team USA to a gold medal after scoring five goals with four assists in seven games.

McGroarty's situation has become common for college prospects, most recently in January when Cutter Gauthier, the Philadelphia Flyers' fifth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, forced his way out of the organization. 

It was known internally that Gauthier wanted out, as he had barely talked to the Flyers after draft day. 

In the quietness, Flyers general manager Daniel Briere, alongside Keith Jones, the team's president of hockey operations, worked out a deal, sending Gauthier to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a second-round pick in 2025. 

Things are different with McGroarty because his desire to leave is out there, which means Winnipeg just lost a tremendous amount of leverage on the trade market—not to mention Gauthier's potential seems to be higher.

Also, Drysdale was unlikely to agree to a long-term extension in Anaheim, so it was a deal that worked out well for both sides. 

So, McGroarty's rights will likely cost a first-round pick in this year's draft and maybe a tad more. 

Could the New York Islanders be in play? 

Let's be real about the Islanders' current situation and McGroarty's.

New York currently owns the 20th overall pick in the draft, and while that asset could be enough to acquire McGroarty's rights, that doesn't mean it's the right move.

The Islanders have holes, two big ones in their top six and another one on the blue line. 

If they want to be a true Stanley Cup contender or give themselves the best chance of not needing the last week of the regular season to secure a postseason spot, they need to fill those holes with the right players -- NHL-ready players. 

McGroarty could help bolster the Islanders' top six, but just because he believes he's ready and doesn't need pro seasoning in the AHL doesn't mean he's right on his personal assessment. 

The 20th overall pick be better suited getting a proven NHLer, like Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers, who the Islanders inquired about ahead of the draft:

That being said, could the Islanders get both?

If the Islanders were able to make that deal, using the 20th pick and potentially other assets—holding two second-round picks in the draft as well after their trade with the Chicago Blackhawks—that would make more sense, as they'd acquire a need and bolster their prospect pool with an exciting player.

You guys won't like to hear this, but it's definitely possible that the Blackhawks could pair McGroarty with rookie phenom Connor Bedard using the 18th overall pick the Islanders gave them in that draft-pick deal (Chicago moved up two spots). 

As of now, we don't know where McGroarty wants to go except that he wants out of Winnipeg.

For those concerned that the Islanders would acquire McGroarty's rights only for him to say he isn't signing with them -- that would never happen.

Lamoriello would not make the deal if he didn't think the two sides would come to terms on McGroarty's entry-level contract.

Although McGroarty told Winnipeg he wants to play in the NHL and not the AHL, it's quite possible that this is just his way of avoiding playing in that market.

Maybe, with another team, he'd agree to begin in the AHL.

The Islanders' general manager is known for taking his time with prospects, which could have put Long Island in a similar situation to that of Philadelphia or Winnipeg if Lamoriello had used his previous first-round draft picks on college players.

McGroarty is expected to be moved ahead of the draft, which begins this Friday at 8 PM ET.