Penguins swing blockbuster trade of forward prospects, shipping Brayden Yager to Jets for Rutger McGroarty

Earlier this summer, a rift between the Winnipeg Jets and their 2022 first-round draft pick, winger Rutger McGroarty, became public.

The 20-year-old McGroarty, selected 14th overall two years ago, reportedly was concerned with the Jets’ developmental plan for him, desiring a quicker path to the NHL.

If fresh surroundings were what McGroarty desired, he got his wish Thursday, as he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the club announced.

In a blockbuster exchange of top prospects, the Penguins sent forward Brayden Yager, the team’s first-round (No. 14 overall) draft pick in 2023, to the Jets.

Yager, 19, was the first draft selection made by president of hockey operations/general manager Kyle Dubas upon being hired by Pittsburgh and had signed an entry-level deal with the Penguins in late July.

“We had a difficult decision to make with this trade because we hold Brayden Yager in such a high regard as a person and prospect,” Dubas said in a statement. “After much consideration, we decided that the opportunity to add Rutger McGroarty was ultimately in the best interest of the Penguins.

“He possesses the combination of ability, leadership and competitiveness that the Penguins need to achieve our goals in the short and long run. We look forward to welcoming Rutger and his family to the city of Pittsburgh and the Penguins.”

Upon his trade to Pittsburgh, McGroarty inked a three-year entry-level contract through 2026-27 worth $950,000 annually, per Puck Pedia.

A native of Lincoln, Neb., McGroarty previously declined to sign with the Jets and did not attend their development camp this summer.

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound left-handed shot enjoyed two successful collegiate seasons at Michigan in addition to playing internationally for the United States twice at the World Junior Championships.

Earlier this year, he captained the U.S. to a gold medal. He won bronze in 2023.

With the Penguins less than a month away from preseason camp, McGroarty becomes one of the team’s more interesting storylines as he battles to crack the NHL lineup for the season opener Oct. 9 vs. the New York Rangers.

While the departure of Yager is significant, McGroarty — a potentially more NHL-ready player — is a promising addition to the Penguins’ prospect pool, which features fellow forwards Ville Koivunen and Vasily Ponomarev (acquired in the Jake Guentzel trade with Carolina) as well as Tristan Broz and Sam Poulin.

This past season with the Wolverines, McGroarty earned first-team All-Big Ten honors, scoring 16 goals with 36 assists.

As a freshman in 2022-23, he netted 18 goals and added 21 assists.

Yager impressed at Penguins development camp earlier this summer, where assistant general manager Jason Spezza displayed modest optimism at his chances of making the NHL roster to begin this upcoming year.

Yager played three full seasons with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League, scoring 35 goals with 60 assists in 57 games this past year and helping his team to the Memorial Cup.