On Thursday, the Winnipeg Jets traded top forward prospect Rutger McGroarty to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Coming over from Pittsburgh, the Jets received fellow prospect Brayden Yager.
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Yager, a 19-year-old centreman, was selected by the Penguins 14th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. He stands six feet tall and weighs 170 pounds.
In 57 games last season for the Moose Jaw Warriors, the Saskatoon product had 35 goals and 95 points, before adding 11 goals and 27 points in 20 playoff games.
His addition will certainly provide a local, Canadian prairie flavour to the Jets’ youthful forward corps.
On the other hand, McGroarty’s departure will certainly be felt, but the addition of Yager should soften the blow.
Selected 14th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft by the Jets, McGroarty spent the past two seasons at the University of Michigan, and recently announced his decision to return for the 2024-25 season.
In June, it was revealed that McGroarty had grown discontent with Winnipeg and its expected trajectory of his career and had asked for a trade out. He did not skate at Winnipeg’s development camp after the 2024 NHL Draft, further displaying his stance.
The news of McGroarty’s dissatisfaction came as a bit of a surprise, but also served as a revelation that some may have seen coming – based on past experiences with certain youthful Jets prospects.
Cole Perfetti – a fellow first round pick – was yanked from the every day lineup last year in favour of older, veteran players even through the postseason, despite strong offensive performances.
Defenceman and fellow first round pick, Ville Heinola, has been buried in the minors or the Jets’ press box since making his brief NHL debut back in 2019.
According to those familiar with McGroarty’s situation, the decision to stick with Michigan for the coming season is one made due to decisions stemming from Jets management on various prospects’ development paths.
Things appeared to have gone off the rails when Winnipeg provided publicly the details to McGroarty that he would begin his professional career in the American Hockey League with the Manitoba Moose, while the youngster expected to make the jump directly to the NHL.
Winnipeg, which owns McGroarty’s signing rights for two more years, did not come to a contractual agreement. It is expected he will sign with Pittsburgh immediately following the trade.
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