Penguins' Rutger McGroarty: Shutdown for NHL season
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McGroarty (lower body) will not return for the Penguins this season, but he could still be an option during the Calder Cup Playoffs for AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
McGroarty was starting to find some chemistry with Penguins captain Sidney Crosby on the top line, recording one goal, two assists and nine shots in five games. At this point, the 21-year-old McGroarty seems like a near-lock to make the Opening Night roster ahead of the 2025-26 campaign and could find himself playing in that coveted first-line role with Crosby -- a spot that naturally offers fantasy upside.
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Penguins' Rutger McGroarty: Exits after blocked shot
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McGroarty sustained a lower-body injury in Tuesday's game versus the Blackhawks.
McGroarty blocked a shot late in the second period, and the Penguins aren't taking any chances with one of their top prospects. It's unclear if he'll be available for the Penguins' last road game of the season in New Jersey on Friday.
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Penguins' Rutger McGroarty: First points in NHL career
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McGroarty recorded a goal, an assist, three shots on target, two hits, one blocked shot and a plus-1 rating in Thursday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Blues.
Despite the overtime loss, this is a game McGroarty will probably not forget since he cracked the scoresheet in an NHL contest for the first time in his career. The goal was even more significant since it allowed the Penguins to force overtime, as McGroarty scored with only 25 seconds left in the game, and he also registered a career high in ice time (18:28). The rookie forward could continue to see a steady role in the lineup in the final days of the regular season because the Penguins are close to being eliminated from playoff contention.
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Penguins' Rutger McGroarty: Elevated from minors
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McGroarty was recalled from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday.
McGroarty was underwhelming in his three appearances for the Penguins this year, recording zero points, two shots and four hits while averaging 11:37 of ice time. A stint in the minors appears to have done the 20-year-old winger some good, as he has racked up 14 goals and 25 assists in 60 minor-league contests. In addition to this stint with Pittsburgh to end the current campaign, McGroarty should be a strong candidate to make the team's 23-man roster for Opening Night next year.
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Penguins' Rutger McGroarty: Performing well in minors
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McGroarty has registered six goals and 16 helpers in 39 games with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, including five points in his last 10 outings.
McGroarty struggled at the start of the 2024-25 campaign, managing just one helper in his first eight AHL contests but has seemingly found his game with the Baby Pens. With Pittsburgh likely headed for a third straight season without a postseason appearance, McGroarty could be one of a handful of youngsters to see minutes with the NHL club in the final few weeks of the year.
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Penguins' Rutger McGroarty: Sent down to minors
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McGroarty was reassigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday.
McGroarty's demotion shouldn't come as a surprise considering he didn't play versus Montreal on Monday and was set to be scratched again Wednesday. General manager Kyle Dubas told reporters at the start of the season that he didn't want the 20-year-old winger sitting in the press box, so this move appears designed to get him some minutes. The Baby Pens play Friday and Saturday in a home-and-home with Lehigh Valley, which could see McGraoarty remain in the minors through at least Pittsburgh's next two contests, though it could certainly be longer.
Penguins' Rutger McGroarty: Involved in three goals Friday
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McGroarty recorded one goal and added two assists in Friday's 7-3 preseason win over the Blue Jackets.
McGroarty made a strong case for himself in this game, scoring with his lone shot and getting involved in two more goals across 17 shifts. It's unclear what kind of role McGroarty will have on the Penguins' depth chart once the season begins against the Rangers on Oct. 9, but he was highly productive in his final season at Michigan with 52 points across 36 contests. All signs point to him having a bottom-six role to open the year.
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