The Winnipeg Jets and Pittsburgh Penguins are swapping top prospects in a blockbuster trade.
The Jets have traded Rutger McGroarty to the Penguins for fellow forward Brayden Yager.
McGroarty, 20, was the 14th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. Yager, 19, was taken 14th overall in 2023.
“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,” Penguins GM Kyle 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.”
McGroarty had expressed reservations about his future with Winnipeg earlier this off-season, leading to general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff exploring trade options for the player.
The Nebraska native registered 52 points over 36 games at the University of Michigan last season but did not sign an entry-level contract with Winnipeg. Hours after the trade, he did so with the Penguins.
Chicago’s Frank Nazar and Columbus’ Gavin Brindley, both teammates of McGroarty at Michigan last season, turned pro and suited up in NHL games following their collegiate stint in 2024. Those teams, of course, were well out of the playoff picture — unlike the Jets who finished third in the Central Division.
McGroarty announced his return to the Wolverines lineup for the 2024-25 season in April, with Winnipeg reported to have offered the forward a contract to turn pro around the same time.
McGroarty helped guide Team USA to a world junior championship title in 2024, scoring five goals and nine points through seven games at the tournament.
Yager is coming off a season in which he had 35 goals and 60 assists in 57 WHL games for the Moose Jaw Warriors. The Saskatoon native helped the Warriors win the WHL championship last season with 27 points in 20 playoff games and added six more points in four games in the Memorial Cup. He also had five points in five games for Canada at the 2024 World Junior Hockey Championship.
Yager signed an entry-level contract with the Penguins in July.