Winnipeg has had a focus on getting younger this off-season, both through trades and buyouts in the case of Blake Wheeler. Flying under the radar through all these roster moves is the core of any rebuilding franchise: the draft picks.
The Jets picked Colby Barlow with pick 18 in the 2023 draft, another Ontario Hockey League star in the same vein as Gabriel Valardi. Coming off captaining his OHL team at just 17 years old, Barlow is a goal scorer putting up 46 in 59 games last season. Barlow isn’t the only Jets first-round pick set to debut this season: Rutger McGroarty was picked 14th overall in 2022, but committed to a season at Michigan before joining the NHL squad.
McGroarty has a great deal of international experience for a rookie, racking up 18 games between the U18 and World Junior United States teams. The youngster even wore the captain's patch for the US’s 2022 IIHF silver medal run. McGroarty comes with more experience than most 19-year-olds.
On most teams, these leadership qualities at such a young age could be overlooked. However on a Winnipeg Jets team sorely lacking in guidance, having these prospects mature ahead of their years could be a huge asset.
Recent years have shown building through the draft to be the most effective way to kickstart a franchise, and the Jets are putting themselves in a great position to do just that.
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