In a stunning turn of events, the Winnipeg Jets and Pittsburgh Penguins have engaged in a blockbuster trade that sees two highly-touted prospects changing teams. The Jets have parted ways with forward Rutger McGroarty, sending him to the Penguins in exchange for forward Brayden Yager.
The move comes after McGroarty signed a lucrative three-year entry-level deal with the Penguins following the trade. His arrival in Pittsburgh has caused quite a stir in the hockey world, especially considering his reputation as a top prospect. In fact, TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button had McGroarty ranked as the No. 11 prospect on his top 50 list back in February.
McGroarty, a 20-year-old talent, was originally selected by the Jets as the No. 14 overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. However, rumors had been swirling throughout the offseason about his potential departure from Winnipeg. Trade talks had surfaced around the time of the NHL Draft, hinting at a possible move for the young forward.
Reports suggest that McGroarty’s relationship with the Jets had been on rocky ground since the end of the NCAA season. According to Murat Ates of the Athletic, the Jets had attempted to sign McGroarty to a professional contract in April, but were unwilling to guarantee him significant playing time at the NHL level. This led to speculation that McGroarty could be headed to the AHL instead of returning to the University of Michigan for his senior season.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, the talented forward put up impressive numbers during his time with the Wolverines. In his most recent season, McGroarty tallied 16 goals and 36 assists for 52 points in 36 games. The season prior, he notched 18 goals and 39 points in just 39 NCAA games.
On the other end of the trade, Brayden Yager, a 19-year-old forward, joins the Jets after being selected as the No. 14 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft by the Penguins. Yager’s performance in the WHL with the Moose Jaw Warriors caught the eye of many scouts, as he recorded an impressive 95 points (35 goals, 60 assists) in just 57 games last season.
Yager wasted no time in penning his own three-year entry-level deal with the Penguins prior to the trade. His addition to the Jets lineup provides a fresh injection of talent and potential, setting the stage for an exciting partnership with his new team.
As the dust settles on this groundbreaking trade, hockey fans are left eagerly anticipating the impact these two young stars will have on their respective teams. The future looks bright for both organizations as they seek to maximize the potential of their new acquisitions.
