NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
Kristen Shilton, ESPN NHL reporterAug 22, 2024, 01:55 PM ET
CloseKristen Shilton is a national NHL reporter for ESPN.
The Winnipeg Jets and Pittsburgh Penguins swapped top prospects in a significant trade, with the Jets sending forward Rutger McGroarty to Pittsburgh for forward Brayden Yager, a source confirmed to ESPN on Thursday.
McGroarty, 20, was selected 14th overall by Winnipeg in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft; Yager was picked in the same slot — 14th — by Pittsburgh in 2023.
Rutger McGroarty had 16 goals and 52 points in 36 games for the Michigan Wolverines last season and was an All-Big Ten first-team selection. Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire
The Jets had failed to sign McGroarty to an entry-level contract after he expressed concern about what a future in Winnipeg might look like for him, and general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff had been looking for a trade partner since.
McGroarty, a Nebraska native, had already declared in April his intent to return to the University of Michigan for the upcoming 2024-25 season. He had 16 goals and 52 points in 36 games for the Wolverines last season. The trade to Pittsburgh could change McGroarty’s timeline, however, as he’s already inked an entry-level deal with the Penguins, the source said.
Editor’s Picks
2 Related
In return for McGroarty, Winnipeg has acquired a promising asset from Pittsburgh.
Yager, a 19-year-old two-way center with good finish who can play in all situations, just inked his own entry-level contract with the Penguins in July. That came on the heels of him helping the Moose Jaw Warriors win the WHL championship last season on the strength of a 95-point regular season and a dominant 27-point showing in the playoffs.
It’s likely McGroarty is closer to appearing in the NHL than Yager, and that’s good news for the Penguins, who failed to reach the postseason in consecutive years and could use an influx of young talent.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound McGroarty plays a heavy game with a solid mix of skill and speed. At Michigan,…
Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/40953624/source-jets-trade-rutger-mcgroarty-penguins-brayden-yager
Author : Kristen Shilton
Publish date : 2024-08-22 18:57:40
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
