The USNTDP has garnered a worse reputation in recent years
It seems like no coincidence that recent USNTDP draft picks Rutger McGroarty and Cutter Gauthier both forced trades away from the teams that drafted them. However, a high-ranking NHL team hockey ops executive seems to think so.
When asked if there is some perception, right or wrong, that some of the young American players expect things on their own timetable as opposed to the organization, the executive said.
"Yes, I've heard that. Maybe a little less receptive to developmental coaching or showing patience to work on certain things before they come up to the NHL."
Specifically on Gauthier, he mentioned that he was "born to be a Flyer" but when push came to shove, he decided that wasn't the case. The forward, who dominated at Boston College with 54 goals and 48 assists for 102 points in 2 seasons, requested to be traded and was subsequently moved to the Anaheim Ducks, where he got 1 point in his debut.
As opposed to Gauthier, who was very reserved with his request, McGroarty was very public with his trade request. During an interview with Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff, he made it clear why McGroarty wanted to be moved.
"I sat down and asked the agent why," Cheveldayoff said. "He said he didn't have an answer. He didn't have a reason. I went through a litany of questions to the agent to see... he just said he just didn't feel right."
Source: NHL Exec: "The Gauthier/McGroarty Effect" is Real
Source for Cutter Gauthier's Stats: HockeyDB
| POLL | ||
How many points does Rutger McGroarty produce in his rookie year? | ||
| 20-30 | 49 | 57 % |
| 30-40 | 30 | 34.9 % |
| 40-50 | 6 | 7 % |
| 50+ | 1 | 1.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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