The history of players not wanting to come (or stay) to Winnipeg will still hang over this situation until McGroarty signs. Although I agree it's way too premature to think McGroarty wants out, his decision today certainly doesn't help quell those rumors...

Couldn't agree more, not worried about him signing one bit.

Jets have insane depth so he would be fully with the moose. Him going back where he can be the captain a newer Michigan team next year. Also wants to win the frozen 4 and could be a hobey baker winner. He has shown that he really respects the jets and has done nothing to indicate he wants the ufa route.

Agreed, but it's very rare that it's the player that opts to NOT turn pro, it tends to be the other way around. Lane Hutson wanted to turn pro last year, but it was MTL that told him to return to BU (same happened to Caufield a few years back too with Wisconsin), Cutter Gauthier wanted to sign with PHI last year, but it was Philly that told him to return to BC and look how that turned out.

Only other instances of players, I can think of, opting to return to the NCAA on their own were Adam Fox (although in his case he made it very clear he wasn't signing with CGY, so not a good comparable), Jimmy Vesey was another case a while back with NSH (and he really strung the Preds along up until the very end...)

Again, it's a rare case, and WAY too early to think it means he doesn't want to sign.

Jimmy snuggerud is doing the same with st Louis and likely still stays with them after next year. Fact is some players prefer to complete their education and goals (frozen four, hobey baker, captaincy, etc)

I agree with you. I don't really understand why McGroarty is going back, though. Join the Moose for their playoff run, then fight for a spot in camp next year. I think the Jets dump Iafallo at the draft this year, and it's not like Barron/Gustafsson/Appleton have their roster spots etched in concrete. Also, he could be costing himself like 6+ million dollars with this decision. It doesnt really make sense to me.

I think the jets are keeping iafallo at this point. Mcgroarty can be the captain on Michigan now and when most of the depth on winnipeg expires after the 2024-25 he can have a full time roster spot for the 2025-2026 season.

I'm quite certain McGroarty would have made the roster out of camp, tbh. I don't see us keeping Iafallo unless Perfetti signs for really cheap. I'm hoping Iafallo plays well into the playoffs here and we can either package him up with someone else or a pick or something to bring back someone else, or we can get a 2nd for him or something.

It wasn't a slam dunk he make the roster tbf. Perfetti isn't going anywhere and if iafallo was going to be traded mcgroarty may have signed but the depth on this team is great and trading parts of it for a rookie that may not be ready is risky.