Penguins acquire Rutger McGroarty for Brayden Yager

[FLPensFan]

Not sure if there is more to this deal yet.

[KG]

Yager going the other way it sounds like…

[Caputi19]

Hate that yager went other way

[FLPensFan]

Here are some quotes and statements on McGroarty from Athletic article from 2021:

Logan Cooley, a projected top 10 pick in the 2021 draft and Rutger’s linemate at the moment, points to how vocal he is on the bench and the way he challenges his teammates. “The way he competes on and off the ice is really eye-catching,” says Cooley.

“Rutger’s big for us. He’s a big team guy. He gets the guys going but he also likes to hold the guys accountable too. It really brings out the most of the guys in the games and skates. He’s really loud on the bench, in the locker room, everywhere,” Frank Nazar says.

“When you’re a leader, really the biggest thing is that you’re going to have to have the ability to influence other people and I think he uses his ability to influence people in a positive way,” U18 head coach Adam Nightingale told The Athletic from his office at USA Hockey Arena. “So all of that went into the decision. He’s got a great personality. He’s just a really good person who cares about his teammates. We’re excited about it.”

It wasn’t until last summer — when he spent time in Oakville, Ont., with family so that he could skate with the renowned Barb Underhill — that he’d worked with his first skating coach.

“My one problem used to be my skating and I can still obviously get better at skating — like I’m never going to be the best skater in the world — but Barb completely changed me,” Rutger said. “She’s unbelievable. Her smile. Just going around the ice, you can’t even hear her blades on the ice. She’s the best skater in the world. (And) everything she told me was new to me.”

Nightingale doesn’t see any red flags either, insisting that his captain’s skating is better than he gets credit for.

“He worked on his skating this summer, he’s committed to it, it’s improving. I’ve never seen him lose a puck race or a puck battle because of his skating, and I think because his mind is so good that he’s able to play the game fast,” Nightingale said. “He’s a power forward that’s a really smart player. He’s strong, he’s got a really good release, he sees the ice and he’s competitive.”

“I would say the one thing that Rutger does a very good job of is he has a high IQ. He does a good job of making players around him better,” he continues. “And the one thing people don’t see is probably his leadership qualities. From a young age being in the locker room in Lincoln, and seeing the players I coached, he turned into a leader. Being around those guys, you’re either going to go one way or another. He went the right way.”

Nazar, Cooley, and Howard are all high end prospects for their teams.

[FLPensFan]

Hate that yager went other way

From Taylor Haase: Quick take: Without knowing whether there are any other pieces, moving Brayden Yager for Rutger McGroarty is moving their top forward prospect for a new top forward prospect who is way closer to being NHL-ready. Accelerates the retooling process of getting younger.

McGroarty is unanimously considered a slightly better prospect than Yager, and he is definitely closer to the NHL. Good chance to make the roster this year.

[FLPensFan]

[FLPensFan]

And just to add...McGroarty is 20. So if he signs and DOESN'T make the team out of camp, he can go play in the AHL. McGroarty might not like it, but nothing wrong with going to play 30 games or so in WBS first, then getting a recall a la Jake Guentzel. But I expect we will see a strong push from McGroarty to make the roster.

We shall see what Dubas has to say later once the deal is finalized. A+ move by Dubas.

[DeHaven162]

Great move, and expect him to be in the NHL lineup. He didn't force a trade out of WPG to not play at his new destination.

We have A TON of forwards at the moment...

[KG]

1 for 1. That's a W for us. McGroarty is rated much higher than Yager, and will play hopefully this season. Good deal KD.

[KG]

[BigMcK]

To jump start the Crosby talks?

[dark_forces]

And just to add...McGroarty is 20. So if he signs and DOESN'T make the team out of camp, he can go play in the AHL. McGroarty might not like it, but nothing wrong with going to play 30 games or so in WBS first, then getting a recall a la Jake Guentzel. But I expect we will see a strong push from McGroarty to make the roster.

We shall see what Dubas has to say later once the deal is finalized. A+ move by Dubas.

This is a great move and seems to add a future lockerroom leader who could contribute this year. They certainly have depth in the forward ranks now.

[Puck-Lurker]

I mean why not?

Bit of a lateral kind of move. McGroarty will come with a ever so slightly higher ceiling a bit lower floor. We'll see.

[Pensfan4life8771]

Can he play the wing at all?

It'd be neat to see him with Sid and Rust on 1st line or he if needs to play C move Malkin to wing with Bunting.

[KG]

Can he play the wing at all?

It'd be neat to see him with Sid and Rust on 1st line or he if needs to play C move Malkin to wing with Bunting.

He's a LW. Definitely think he will get time next to Sid in camp, with a real opportunity to make the team and be in the top 6 this season.

[KG]

McGroarty's agent is Brisson, who is Sid's agent. Let's get this extension done next!

[Badamski9]

Great trade! Yager is too small and soft. This is like getting a Tkachuk!

[KG]

https://www.flohockey.tv/articles/12789 ... o-winnipeg

Good take on the trade and what each team is getting. Great to see the Pens get a "rugged 2-way winger with scoring touch"

Really hope he can make the top 6 this season. Would be great to have some grit in the top 6 in addition to Bunting.

He's also captain of his team. Should be a big part of the next core group of leaders. Love the trade.

[Pitts]

Good chance to make the roster this year.

LOL - the entire bottom six says, "yeah...sure!"

[Antonio]

Ok so where's the rub? Why would another team supposed 1 for 1 prospect trade and give up a guy who usually supposedly universally regards as overall better and closer to being ready for an inferior talent in every way? I mean, unless McG didn't want to sign or play in WPG? Only reason I could imagine unless there is something else here.

[Pitts]

Great trade! Yager is too small and soft. This is like getting a Tkachuk!

He's got a very rugged name too!

[Pitts]

Ok so where's the rub? Why would another team supposed 1 for 1 prospect trade and give up a guy who usually supposedly universally regards as overall better and closer to being ready for an inferior talent in every way? I mean, unless McG didn't want to sign or play in WPG? Only reason I could imagine unless there is something else here.

That is the reason. The article linked above explains it well.

[KG]

Ok so where's the rub? Why would another team supposed 1 for 1 prospect trade and give up a guy who usually supposedly universally regards as overall better and closer to being ready for an inferior talent in every way? I mean, unless McG didn't want to sign or play in WPG? Only reason I could imagine unless there is something else here.

That's it. He refused to sign in WPG, so they didn't have a ton of leverage. Getting Yager was a good get by WPG as well. But McGroarty is a better prospect with much more physicality and intangibles.

[Antonio]

Ok so where's the rub? Why would another team supposed 1 for 1 prospect trade and give up a guy who usually supposedly universally regards as overall better and closer to being ready for an inferior talent in every way? I mean, unless McG didn't want to sign or play in WPG? Only reason I could imagine unless there is something else here.

That is the reason. The article linked above explains it well.

Well in that case it sounds like a win win for us based on current projected development paths, although ultimately we really don't know anything really. Y could be a superstar and McG a failure or the reverse or a variation. On paper though, sounds like a great move forced by his unhappiness.

[Puck-Lurker]

Ok so where's the rub? Why would another team supposed 1 for 1 prospect trade and give up a guy who usually supposedly universally regards as overall better and closer to being ready for an inferior talent in every way? I mean, unless McG didn't want to sign or play in WPG? Only reason I could imagine unless there is something else here.

If McGroarty wasn't going to sign in Winnipeg, he's useless to them and Yager is already under contract. Jets get a player on a similar level, but projected slightly lower, who pretty much has to be playing for them.

Personally, I find the "I won't sign with/play for <insert NHL team>" a distasteful and unprofessional stance, though it's within their rights.

Well in that case it sounds like a win win for us based on current projected development paths, although ultimately we really don't know anything really. Y could be a superstar and McG a failure or the reverse or a variation. On paper though, sounds like a great move forced by his unhappiness.

Yes. And entirely agreed.