NHL Prospect Roundup: Rutger McGroarty is going to be a beast for the Winnipeg Jets

Steven Ellis
Steven Ellis
NHL Prospect Roundup: Rutger McGroarty is going to be a beast for the Winnipeg Jets
Credit: Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

When I watched Rutger McGroarty in person on the opening day of USA’s 2024 world junior camp last month, it didn’t look like a guy lying in a hospital bed just a few weeks earlier after taking a big hit and being stretchered off the ice while playing for the University of Michigan.

The Winnipeg Jets prospect was on a mission to prove he was healthy enough to travel to Sweden and chase gold. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him skating faster or harder. He was fighting for every puck, shooting hard and getting as close as possible to violating the “no-contact” part of his red no-contact jersey. Getting back with his buddies with a chance to avenge their bronze medal effort from 2023 was clearly on his mind.

And it paid off. McGroarty was named captain and played a big role on the top line alongside Cutter Gauthier, scoring five goals and nine points en route to a gold medal. He had a pair of points in the gold medal game, while his hat trick against Slovakia on the final day of round-robin play was a tournament highlight.

And ever since returning to Michigan, McGroarty has been on a roll. He had a five-point weekend against Stonehill in his first two games back before scoring eight points over two games against bitter rivals, the Michigan State Spartans. Mix in three points against Wisconsin this past weekend and he’s been one of the hottest players in college hockey with 16 points in his past seven games.

Scouts love him. I love him. McGroarty does so much with and without the puck that I feel gets overlooked. He’s got size and speed, and the offense has been incredible this year, with him likely nearing the 60-point mark as a sophomore.

And it won’t be long until he’s fighting for an NHL spot with the Jets. I could see him immediately stepping into the lineup this spring and making an impact in the middle six. If the Jets don’t add any notable scorers before the deadline, I wonder if McGroarty is the real answer there because I fully believe he’s close to pro-ready right now.

If Michigan wins the national title, I think there’s no doubt McGroarty will join the big club in April. If they don’t, I know many believe he’ll head back for another shot at it as a junior. Either way, I think he’s close to being ready, but we’ll see.

NCAA

– A sixth-round pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2020, Joe Miller has been Harvard’s most valuable player with 19 points in 19 games. Harvard had a brutal eight-game losing streak that spanned three months, but they’ve improved to 3-1-1 in over the past five games – with Miller registering eight points in that span. He had one of his best college games to date with a two-goal, three-point effort against Colgate University on Saturday in a 6-3 victory for Harvard, and having watched it, I was impressed with how often he was in front of the net fighting for pucks at 5-foot-10.

– Gavin Brindley has been so good this year that there’s been no shortage of opportunities to showcase him. But since returning from the world juniors, where he had an impressive six goals and 10 points in seven games, the Columbus Blue Jackets has played some of his best hockey with the University of Michigan. He had a four-goal return against Stonehill on Jan. 12 and is now up to 12 points in his past five games. He now has 15 goals and 30 points in 23 games to put him 23rd in league scoring, but his 1.33 points-per-game puts him 11th among U-20 scorers. Yeah, I’m a Gavin Brindley believer.

OHL

– The legend of Nick Lardis continues to prosper. After breaking through in the second half with Hamilton last year, the 2023 Chicago Blackhawks pick has 29 goals and 50 points in 37 games – good for a 47-goal, 81-point projection. In his past 10 outings, Lardis has 19 points – including nine goals – as he continues to put his quick hands to work. The Blackhawks got a steal of a middle-six scoring threat with the 67th pick, and if he can add some more muscle, he’ll be very difficult to contain.

QMJHL

– I’m curious to see how Jeremy Langlois adjusts to the pro game next season. Drafed 94th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in 2022, Langlois has has played a point-per-game rate with Rouyn-Noranda this year, putting him on pace for a career-best 18 goals and 64 points. He has a solid frame, plays physical and does a bit of everything, but his skating hasn’t improved much since his draft year. I’m not sure he’s a future NHLer, but his puck skills are solid.

AHL

– Did the Washington Capitals find a hidden gem in Clay Stevenson? The team signed the 6-foot-4 keeper as an undrafted free agent after two years with Dartmouth College and had a good ECHL season a year ago. But this AHL season has been unbelievable, with the 24-year-old recording a 15-5-1 record with a .939 save percentage and six shutouts with the Hershey Bears. Stevenson is Dustin Wolf’s best opponent for the league’s top goaltender award, and he’s doing it as a rookie. Stevenson might be older at 24, but after signing him to a three-year extension at a league minimum $775,000, there’s a chance he could be an incredible find.

– Recently named as the Laval Rocket’s AHL All-Star Game representative, Logan Mailloux has had an excellent rookie campaign. The Montreal Canadiens prospect has 10 goals and 28 points with a 50-point pace over 72 games – good for second among U-23 defenders. He’s riding an eight-point run over the past seven games alone. From watching him at the Buffalo Sabres Prospect Challenge in September, he gave the puck away way too often with some questionable decision-making with the puck. His overall defensive game has improved with more reps and work with the coaching staff, but it’s far from being a strength of his game. I’m unsure what to make about his NHL future, but he’s having a great season.

– There’s going to be a time when the San Jose Sharks are actually good again. Until then, the fanbase can get excited about winger Daniil Gushchin, who has had an explosive second AHL campaign with 37 points in 39 games. The high-end skill is evident almost every night, and I think he only continues to get better with every opportunity. Gushchin is creative, smart and has an excellent release, and I think the ceiling is high here.

Liiga

– The Tampa Bay Lightning have had some great late-round selections in recent years – could Niko Huuhtanen be the next? Taken with the last pick in 2021, Huuhtanen made a big impact as a rookie in Liiga action last year with 17 goals in 30 points in 48 games with Jukurit. But in just 43 games this season, Huuhtanen has 15 goals and 41 points in 43 games, putting him on pace for more than 20 goals and 55 points. Huuhtanen has a great release and excellent size at 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds. Will his skating translate over to the pro game? That could be what keeps him back, so we’ll see.

KHL

– Despite only producing at a 32-point pace, Maxim Beryozkin is showing some promising signs. He was taken in the fifth round by the Edmonton Oilers in 2020. Beryozkin’s play is fascinating in the way he uses his 6-foot-2 body to win battles and create havoc around the net. Beryozkin has an excellent release and good quickness, although I feel like he attempts big dekes and can’t follow through. He is signed 2025 but I could totally see the power forward moving over once the deal is over and making an immediate impact in the AHL.

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