Report: Jets likely to trade top prospect McGroarty

The Winnipeg Jets are likely to trade top prospect Rutger McGroarty, sources told The Athletic's Murat Ates.

Winnipeg wanted to sign McGroarty following the 2023-24 NCAA campaign but was reportedly unwilling to promise a path to NHL playing time, so the 20-year-old opted to return to the University of Michigan for his junior year. The Jets would lose his rights if they don't sign him in the next two years.

The 20-year-old doesn't want out because of his views of the city of Winnipeg, Ates noted.

McGroarty's name has already come up in trade discussions, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported earlier Saturday, adding that the situation remains up in the air.

"Winnipeg really needs to re-visit its development plan," a source told Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press.

The Jets added veterans Sean Monahan and Tyler Toffoli up front for a deadline push, which notably forced 2020 No. 10 pick Cole Perfetti out of the lineup for all but one playoff game despite a 19-goal, 19-assist regular season. Winnipeg already has 12 forwards signed for next season, and that doesn't include restricted free agents Perfetti and David Gustafsson.

Winnipeg drafted McGroarty 14th overall in 2022. He recorded 52 points in 36 games for the Wolverines this past season.