Top NCAA prospect refuses to speak to team who drafted him, expects to be traded

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Sam Hutch
June 22, 2024 (12:01)

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Photo credit: NHL

A top NCAA prospect who has refused to speak to the team that drafted him into the NHL, now expects that's he's going to play for a different franchise. Something that has become more common.

The NCAA has become more than a viable option for top and talent who want an education but also want to be drafted into the National Hockey League.

Now what we're seeing is that prospects in the NCAA may have too much power when it comes to negotiating first contracts with the teams that drafted them.

According to Sportsnet's Eliottte Friedman, the Winnipeg Jets top prospect Rutger McGroarty doesn't want to sign with the team. In fact, he expects to be traded.

Very surprising piece of news today from
@FriedgeHNIC
on 32TP.

«His family advisor and the Jets are not talking, but the one thing I can tell you is that I have heard Rutger McGroarty has come up in trade discussions.»

The 2022 14th overall pick had 52 points in 36 GP for Univ. of Michigan (NCAA). McGroarty had previously announced that he was returning to school for his junior year. #GoJetsGo hold his signing rights for 2 more years.

McGroarty was drafted by the Jets 14th overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and looks like he'll be the latest top college draft pick to be traded. Giving fuel to the fire that NCAA prospects have too much leverage compared to other draft choices

Previously on Bladeofsteel

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Don Waddell admits nobody wants to trade for Elvis Merzlikins due to contract

Arizona property at center of land auction reportedly wasn't zoned for NHL arena

POLL
22 JUIN \| 357 ANSWERS Top NCAA prospect refuses to speak to team who drafted him, expects to be traded Do you think top NCAA prospects like Rutger McGroarty have too much power?
Yes	219	61.3 %
No	38	10.6 %
They should be happy they got drafted at all	100	28 %
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