The Winnipeg Jets have traded forward Rutger McGroarty to the Pittsburgh Penguins for forward Brayden Yager.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was the first to report the impending move and then the full deal was confirmed by PuckPedia. McGroarty then immediately signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Penguins.
🚨Trade
To #LetsGoPens
Rutger McGroarty
20 y/o F, '22 #14 Pick
16G 52P in 36 NCAA GPTo #NHLJets
Brayden Yager
19 y/o F, '23 #14 Pick
35G 95P in 57 WHL GP
Year 1/3 $950K Cap Hit ELC1st reported by @FriedgeHNIC, full details @frank_seravalli https://t.co/kXZjcEim5D
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) August 22, 2024
The Jets came to a crossroads this offseason with McGroarty, one of the NHL’s top prospects. Winnipeg used the 14th overall draft selection in the 2022 NHL Draft to select McGroarty but the two sides were never able to come to terms on an entry-level deal and a trade was seen as inevitable.
McGroarty wanted to play in the NHL as soon as possible after completing his sophomore season at the University of Michigan but Winnipeg could not guarantee him that immediate playing time. The 20-year-old winger recorded 52 points (16g, 36a) in 36 NCAA games last year and won a gold medal as captain of Team USA at the 2024 World Junior Championship.
After signing with Pittsburgh, McGroarty will no longer be eligible to return to Michigan for his junior campaign. He’ll first visit his old team in Winnipeg with the Penguins on October 20.
After acquiring McGroarty from #NHLJets, #LetsGoPens signed him to 3 year Entry Level Deal
NHL Salary $855K
Signing Bonus $95K
"A" Performance Bonuses $500KCap Hit $950K, AAV $1.45M
Rep'd by Pat Brisson @CAAHockey https://t.co/aHy6Smdv3q
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) August 22, 2024
Yager was selected 14th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft and has spent the past four seasons in the WHL with the Moose Jaw Warriors. The 19-year-old center posted 95 points (35g, 60a) in 57 games last season, finishing tied for second in scoring on the 2024 WHL champions.
The Washington Capitals were connected in trade rumors about McGroarty around the 2024 NHL Draft in late June. He’ll now be battling them in the Metropolitan Division this season.
