In a trade of top prospects, the Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired Rutger McGroarty from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Brayden Yager, according to multiple reports and first broken by Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. McGroarty was the No. 14 overall pick in 2022 and Yager went 14th overall in 2023. Both were among their system’s top prospects.
Rumors swirled prior to the draft that McGroarty did not see eye to eye on his development plan with Winnipeg, which is part of why he did not sign a contract with them over the offseason. McGroarty was planning to return to the University of Michigan if the Jets did not trade him. However, now that he has been moved, reports indicate he will sign with Pittsburgh.
In the end, the Jets were able to get fair value for a player that everyone knew wanted out. Yager is a high-end prospect from the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL. He also just turned 19 and is likely headed for another season in the WHL in 2024-25.
The Penguins, which have not had a very strong prospect system, are essentially losing their No. 1 prospect, while gaining the new No. 1 in McGroarty who is closer to being NHL ready and plays a different style from Yager.
Let’s take a look at what both teams are getting.
What the Penguins Get
The Penguins add a rugged two-way winger who has good scoring touch. McGroarty has a good shot and can be a weapon in a variety of areas in the offensive zone. He sees the ice well and makes a lot of higher-level plays with the puck on his stick. While his hockey sense is outstanding, his compete level is the real separator for him. McGroarty is physical and uses his strength to make plays when he doesn’t have the space. He is aggressive on the forecheck and forces defensemen to make tougher plays by playing the body and anticipating well.
McGroarty is likely to be a power-play option with an ability to score from the outside or from in tight. You can use him effectively as a net-front player as his quick hands and ability to absorb punishment in front make him effective in that role.
If there’s a knock on McGroarty it’s that his skating is below average and he will not be able to create separation with his feet. Additionally, while he is skilled, he may lack a dynamic enough element to be a true top-six scorer.
He does, however, have the hockey sense to make plays and to get where he needs to be with good anticipation skills and the ability to read plays. That could allow him to be a long-term top six if in the right situation.
Ultimately, McGroarty was one of the best players in college hockey last season. An injury kept him out of the top scorer race, but his 1.44 points per game ranked eighth in the NCAA. Before he got hurt, he was scoring at a remarkable pace in just his second collegiate season.
Additionally, McGroarty captained Team USA to the gold medal at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, in his second year at the tournament. Despite coming off of an injury, McGroarty had nine points and was a complete menace, especially in the gold-medal game against Sweden.
I believe the McGroarty camp had hoped to get this trade done earlier in the season and many speculated that it would be accomplished at the draft. However, with school just starting at Michigan, McGroarty leaving would put the Wolverines in a late-summer bind. However, this possibility was always going to be on the table and it appears Michigan should prepare to be without a significant veteran for next season.
What the Jets Get
The Jets did very well to land a top prospect in return for McGroarty. I thought it would be difficult for them to get fair value at the draft when everyone knew McGroarty wanted out. The Jets stayed patient and found the right partner to ensure they didn’t lose one of their most important future assets for anything less than equal value.
That’s what I think Yager is. He has a dynamic skill element to him and makes plays. Yager lacks physical strength and size at this stage to dictate in that way, but he has higher-end hockey sense and is able to make defenders miss with his hands.
He posted 95 points last season and helped the Warriors win the WHL championship while representing the league at the Memorial Cup. He had 27 points in 20 WHL playoff games and six points over four games at the Memorial Cup.
Yager was also part of Canada’s World Junior entry in 2024 and was one of their more reliable offensive performers in what was an otherwise disappointing tournament that ended without a medal. Yager had five points in five games and will be eligible to return to Team Canada at the next World Juniors in Ottawa.
As a right-shot playmaking center who just turned 19, the Jets help bolster their prospect depth and also bring in a player who is from Saskatchewan and will likely relish the opportunity to be closer to home as an NHL player.
Yager also has so much more development ahead of him. His production jumped last year and the expectation would be a dominant season for him in the WHL again. He only just turned 19 in July, so there’s a nice runway yet for him to reach his potential.
Who Benefits More From the Trade?
This is essentially a win for both teams. The Penguins get a player that is more NHL ready and gives them some options with their roster in the next year or two given McGroarty will be on a manageable entry-level contract. The Jets, in the end, didn't lose much value for a player that ultimately was not going to play with them next season.
If you ask me between the two prospects which I prefer, I would probably lean McGroarty as he has a bit more versatility and I also think he brings a hard-nosed element that will be helpful in Pittsburgh. That said, you could make a strong case that Yager has the greater overall offensive upside and could be a more productive player over the course of his career.
The other reason I give the lean to McGroarty is that as the Penguins have to start considering what the future is going to look like as the Sidney Crosby Era reaches its final years. McGroarty has been a leader wherever he has been and is often high on the list of teammates as one of their favorites in the dressing room. If he's ever had a bad day at the rink, you wouldn't know it. I think McGroarty could be a culture-building player or at least a culture-sustaining player in this next phase for the Penguins. He may be a core guy down the road if he hits on his potential.
Final Thoughts
The Penguins acquire a high-potential prospect in McGroarty who is closer to being NHL ready and ready to contribute immediately. McGroarty is a physical, two-way forward with a high hockey IQ. Meanwhile, the Jets acquire a dynamic young center in Yager who has the potential to be a star in the NHL. Yager has exceptional hockey sense and can make plays in the offensive zone. This trade is a win-win for both teams as they each acquire a top prospect that could make a major impact in their respective organizations in the near future.
