The Rutger McGroarty drama is officially over.
The disgruntled 14th overall pick by the Winnipeg Jets in 2022 is now a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, signing his entry-level deal on Thursday after being dealt for the Penguins 14th overall pick in 2023, Brayden Yager.
Rutger McGroarty was traded to the Penguins by the Jets for Brayden Yager on Thursday in a deal involving two first-round NHL Draft picks. https://t.co/IqgENpEp64
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) August 22, 2024
McGroarty wouldn’t sign his entry-level contract with the Jets because he wasn’t thrilled with being part of their organization and wanted a more straightforward path to becoming an NHL player.
Instead of joining the AHL, joining their organization, McGroarty told Winnipeg he was returning to the University of Michigan for his junior season and that he’d like to be traded.
Now, McGroarty is likely to make the Penguins’ NHL roster.
There was speculation that McGroarty’s rights would be moved ahead of or at the 2024 NHL Draft, with many teams, including the New York Islanders, inquiring about the gifted forward.
Related: Islanders Remain Interested In Ehlers, Have Also Checked In On McGroarty
But that never happened, and the drama dragged on.
McGroarty had 52 points (16 goals, 36 assists) in 36 games this past collegiate season. He captained Team USA’s U-20 gold medal team at the 2024 IIHF World Juniors, posting five goals and four assists in seven games.
Based on his stats and potential, the youngster had value, but because his trade request was public, Winnipeg didn’t have much leverage.
However, they did pretty well for themselves, getting Yager in return.
He tore up the WHL, scoring 35 goals with 60 assists for 95 points in 57 games, before 11 goals and 16 assists in 20 playoff games.
Like McGroarty, Yager represented his country, scoring two goals and adding three assists for five points in five games.
Yager will be heading back to juniors for the 2024-25 season.
So, what would the Islanders have had to give up to get McGroarty?
Until this year’s draft, the Islanders’ prospect pool lacked the value needed to make such moves.
That changed a bit following the 2025 NHL Draft when the Islanders selected the best pure-goal scorer, Cole Eiserman, with the 20th overall pick, a big-body but mobile Swedish defenseman, Jesse Pulkinnen, with the 54th overall pick, and possibly the best two-way forward in the draft, Kamil Bednarik, with the 61st pick.
The Islanders’ comparison to Yager would be Eiserman, who fell to 20 despite his elite finishing skills.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Eiserman fell because he was seen as more of a one-dimensional player, but it wouldn’t have been a shock to see him take as high as 10th overall.
He scored 58 goals with 31 assists for 89 points in 57 games playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP).
The forward set the U.S. NTDP record for most goals while in the program (127).
At the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) U18 World Championship, Eiserman scored 10 points (nine goals, one assist) in seven games.
Unlike McGroarty, Eiserman is not NHL-ready, as he has much to learn about the defensive game. One of the main reasons the Islanders selected the American was because he is headed to Boston University and will learn from former NHLer Jay Pandolfo, who Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello drafted when he was at the helm of the New Jersey Devils.
Related: Islanders Lou Lamoriello On Drafting Cole Eiserman, Keeping Pick
The Islanders roster could use an NHL-ready exciting forward to round out their top six after signing Anthony Duclair this offseason to a four-year deal worth $3.5 million annually.
Imagine McGroarty flying up the wing alongside Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal on the Islander’s top line or Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri on the team’s second line?
The Islanders hold all of their picks for the 2025 NHL Draft, so it’s possible that Eiserman wouldn’t have to be moved to acquire McGroarty.
But, if you were the Jets, Eiserman, and maybe a late-round pick in 2025, would be the ask.
“I guess we’ll never know.”
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