This summer has been filled with drama for the Winnipeg Jets. Early in the summer reports started to come out that Rutger McGroarty the Jets top prospect was unhappy. He eventually requested a trade due to the fact that the Jets would not guarantee him a spot on the NHL roster.
Several months later a trade was finally completed. Rutger McGroarty was sent to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Penguins top prospect Brayden Yager.
Since then almost every person with a platform in hockey has spoken about the trade. Many have argued that Rutger McGroarty is the better player and he was within his rights as a player to demand a trade away from the Winnipeg Jets. However, one former coach is not on the same page as others.
Bruce Boudreau is known for being a well-respected but hard-nosed coach when coaching in the NHL. So it is no surprise that he has not responded favorably to a player not wanting to earn their spot on an NHL roster.
These comments are collectively how I think many fans and media throughout the NHL potentially feel. Rutger McGroarty is a fantastic player and had every right to use his power of going to the NCAA to his advantage. However, the way that he used it will now create doubts about his character and work ethic which he will continue to have to answer for.
Source: Hockey FeedBruce Boudreau blasts Rutger McGroarty after trade to Pittsburgh
POLL | ||
25 AOUT | 221 ANSWERS Former NHL head coach Bruce Boudreau berates Rutger McGroarty for requesting a trade Do you think Rutger McGroarty's trade request was unreasonable? | ||
Yes | 182 | 82.4 % |
No | 39 | 17.6 % |
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