The Winnipeg Jets traded Rutger McGroarty to the Pittsburgh Penguins

The Winnipeg Jets have had trade rumors surrounding Rutger McGroarty all summer long. It is rare for that to happen when it is a prospect that has never played a single NHL game but that was the case here. 

McGroarty played for the United States National Development Program before spending two years at the University of Michigan. During the 2023-24 season, he was the captain for the Gold Medal winning USA squad at the World Junior Championships. 

The kid has a very bright future and he was a former first-round pick (14th overall in 2022) for a reason. He has the ceiling of a star in the NHL but he must continue his development into the pro game. 

On Thursday, he was finally traded. The Jets sent him to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Moose Jaw Warriors forward Brayden Yager. Like McGroarty, Yager was also a 14th-round pick in the first round. Yager is one year younger as he was selected in 2023. 

The Winnipeg Jets and Pittsburgh Penguins have made a trade

This is an example of two teams swapping prospects. Therefore, it is hard to determine who has the edge in the deal. Both are getting a player with a high ceiling. 

We know from his collegiate days that McGroarty has a certain level of leadership to his game. That is something that the Penguins may be looking for in younger players. 

Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kristopher Letang are all still great but they have more NHL games behind them than in front of them. A guy like McGroarty may be able to help them end their careers on playoff teams. A lot of it will depend on how he plays. 

This is a good trade for both sides for different reasons. The Jets knew they had to trade McGroarty because he wanted out.

They got a promising young prospect for him. The Penguins, on the other hand, are adding a good player to cap off what was a strong summer. We’ll see over the next few years who did better here.