On August 22nd 2024, GM Kyle Dubas altered the Pittsburgh Penguins trajectory by trading top prospect Brayden Yager for Rutger McGroarty. The Pittsburgh Penguins have had a clear focus on contending during Sidney Crosby era. However, Crosby along with Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang are aging. As such, General Manager Kyle Dubas has been tasked with both competing and setting up the future of the organization. The recent acquisition of McGroarty is a significant step in this direction, as the trade made by Dubas represents a strategic blend of present and future planning.
The trade is one for one.
To #NHLJets: Brayden Yager
To #Pens: Rutger McGroartyBoth players were picked 14th overall, one year apart. Yager helped Moose Jaw to the Memorial Cup, McGroarty indicated to Jets he would not sign there.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) August 22, 2024
A Calculated Move for Immediate Impact
Picked 14th overall in 2022, Brayden Yager was the top prospect in the Penguins system. His development over the past couple of seasons was encouraging, as he was projected to become a valuable middle-six forward. However, Yager still requires at least another year, if not more, of development before being ready to make an impact at the NHL level. As the Penguins are still in “win-now” mode, Yager was an awkward fit for the organization.
Meanwhile McGroarty is not just a good prospect—prior to his public issues with the Winnipeg Jets organization, he was commonly hailed as a blue-chip prospect. Many have reported he has the potential to step into the NHL and make an impact almost immediately. McGroarty’s skill set and hockey IQ positions him as a player make an immediate impact with the Penguins this season. This aligns far better with the Penguins’ current needs to maximize their contention years.
Bridging the Present and the Future
Heading into year two of a seven-year contract, GM Kyle Dubas is tasked with the end of the Crosby era and the beginning of a rebuild following it. What makes the acquisition of McGroarty intriguing is how it serves a dual purpose in this respect. On one hand, McGroarty is a player who can potentially help the Penguins remain competitive in the short term. Additionally, his presence in the organization could provide a bridge to the future following the core’s retirements.
McGroarty’s ceiling is significantly higher than Yager’s. He’s projected to be a top six forward, potentially even a top-line player. As such, this trade represents a calculated risk by the Penguin’s, one that could pay dividends by ensuring the team has valuable players teaching the next generation of Penguins when their time comes. By securing a player like McGroarty, the Penguins are investing in both the present and the future. They’re aiming to stay relevant in the playoff conversation for years to come.
The Strategic Vision
For months following the Penguins absence in the 2024 playoffs, fans and analysts around the hockey world questioned the vision for the team. Pittsburgh acquired superstar defenceman Erik Karlsson just last year, and then failed to make the playoffs by a slim margin. The decision to trade Brayden Yager for McGroarty has given some insight into the strategic vision for the team. Ownership is aware of the window of opportunity they have with Crosby and company still performing at a high level. However, they also understand this window is rapidly closing.
Acquiring McGroarty is a statement that the Penguins are not content in simply riding out the final years of their core. Nor will they sell the future to compete in the present either. Instead, McGroarty is the kind of player potentially capable of playing with Crosby and Bryan Rust on the top-line and help lead the team in the future. He has the opportunity to earn a spot next to one of the best players of all time. Head Coach Mike Sullivan has historically given opportunity to younger players hungry to prove themselves. Many of Crosby’s best line-mates have been these younger players. The Yager for McGroarty trade indicates that the Penguins are planning for less tumultuous transition. The goal is for the end of this era to not necessarily mean the beginning of a long and painful rebuild.
Welcome to Pittsburgh, Rutger McGroarty
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ acquisition of Rutger McGroarty is a significant move that could very well change the team’s entire trajectory. McGroarty’s skills and potential development into a top line player could help ensure that the franchise remains a contender this season while developing an impact player going forward. By trading Yager for McGroarty, the Penguins have both improved their chances of competing this upcoming season and in the future.
Main Photo: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
