Penguins Future Begins with Rutger McGroarty – The Hockey Writers – Penguins Prospects

In an offseason full of smaller moves, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager (GM) Kyle Dubas made a big move for a top prospect. On Aug. 22, he traded for Rutger McGroarty from the Winnipeg Jets, giving up one of his top prospects, Brayden Yager. While the move was a bit of a surprise for many, it signifies that Dubas is looking to not only try and keep his team competitive but also looking toward the future, with McGroarty being the player who helps lead it. 

What the Penguins Are Getting in McGroarty

Throughout the offseason, there were many rumors of McGroarty wanting out of Winnipeg, and those rumors of a move finally came to fruition when the Jets and Penguins linked up for a trade. While he has not played any games in the NHL yet, the 14th pick of the 2022 NHL Draft has had high levels of success at every step along the way. Whether it be in AAA hockey with the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies, where he racked up 160 points in only 63 games, his time in World Juniors tournaments (played in two U18 and two U20 tournaments a piece), or with the University of Michigan, he has been one of the best players at each level he has been at. 

With McGroarty, the Penguins are not only getting a player who can be an offensive force when he is on the ice but also a player who can chip in on the defensive side of the game. He has shown no fear of throwing his body around and getting involved in the physical aspect of the game, and he goes to the dirty areas of the ice to help make a play. This mix of playing styles makes him a threat in all three zones of the ice. 

His offensive game is where his play shines, though. He has a solid ability to control the play with or without the puck on his stick. He is a relentless worker and causes chaos when he does have the puck on his stick. His strong hockey IQ has helped him become an all-around playmaker offensively while possessing a high-level shot. While there were high hopes for the team’s 2023 first-round pick, Brayden Yager, moving him for a player like McGroarty ended up being too hard to pass up on. He is closer to being impactful in the NHL, has a bit more of an edge to his game, and has higher potential upside.

McGroarty’s Impact This Season

While there is no guarantee he will make the NHL roster out of training camp, McGroarty should be able to make a solid case to do so. Seeing where he slots in would certainly be interesting…