Just three games into the season, the Pittsburgh Penguins are sending Rutger McGroarty to the AHL.
The team announced Wednesday that they’re assigning their top forward prospect to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, their minor-league affiliate.
McGroarty, who was dealt to the Penguins from the Winnipeg Jets in a blockbuster off-season move, made the team out of camp and has played in all three games thus far, but has failed to record a point and posted just two shots on goal.
The 20-year-old was initially selected in the first round, 14th overall, by the Jets, but reportedly expressed reservations about his future in Winnipeg, leading GM Kevin Cheveldayoff to explore trade options.
In August, McGroarty was dealt one-for-one for prospect Brayden Yager.
The Lincoln, Neb., native played collegiate hockey for the University of Michigan, finishing with 35 goals and 57 assists through 75 games. He won gold with Team USA at the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship.