Entitled Prospect Rutger McGroarty Could Be Starting The Season In The AHL Due To One Deficiency In His Game
Prospect Rutger McGroarty is getting a reality check this week on how tough it is to be a full-time NHL player.
Pittsburgh Penguins rookie Rutger McGroarty has been getting a reality check on how tough it is to be a full-time NHL player since training camp began last week. It appears he hasn't impressed management enough with his play and will be cut from the Penguins.
McGroarty is likely to start the season with the Penguins AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He appeared in both preseason games with the Penguins, showing off his offensive instincts by providing an assist but left a lot to be desired defensively, admitting that he was running around at times in his defensive zone.
According to Pittsburgh Hockey Now author Dan Kingerski McGroarty's defensive play is making him a liability to some in the Penguins organization. The franchise believes in McGroarty's off the charts offensive hockey IQ but that doesn't outweigh his defensive hindrance to the team at times.
Drafted 14th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, McGroarty has the ability to play both wings. He plays a physical style, standing 6'1 weighing over 200 lbs. During his sophomore season with the University of Michigan, he scored 16 goals and 52 points in 36 games.
McGroarty forced a trade out of the Winnipeg Jets after refusing to sign his entry-level deal with the club and is not attending Jets development camp. The Penguins took a big change by acquiring McGroarty in late August, giving up their top prospect in the organization at the time Brayden Yager in order to facilitate the trade.
The 20-year-old was in the Penguins Group 2 at the most recent practice which consisted of mostly hopeful Penguins prospects and likely AHL-bound players which isn't a great sign for McGroarty 's chances of being in the opening night lineup.
The Penguins have four more games on the preseason schedule for McGroarty to up his place in the team's depth chart. Pittsburgh plays back-to-backgames against the Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators this weekend.
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