Why Penguins-Jets Rutger McGroaty for Brayden Yager Trade Was Win-Win for Both Teams

Rumors of a Rutger McGroarty (drafted 14th overall in 2022) trade were going around as early as the NHL Draft back in June when it was confirmed by Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff that forward McGroarty had no intention of signing with the Jets.

When no trade materialized, the assumption became that McGroarty would return to the University of Michigan for his junior season. However, when he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Moose Jaw Warriors forward Brayden Yager (drafted 14th overall in 2023), he immediately signed his entry-level contract with the Penguins.

People like to talk about trades in terms of winners and losers. Looking at it through that lens, it could be argued that the Penguins are the clear winners here. Contrary to what more extreme discussions would have you believe, that doesn't make the trade a loss for the Jets.

They were in a tough spot with McGroarty refusing to sign, and, per remarks from Cheveldayoff, not giving a specific reason other than that it "didn't feel right". When this happens with NCAA players, lack of leverage makes it difficult for teams to get any significant return for the player. Sometimes, they have to let the player walk for nothing after they finish their college career. The Jets getting Yager, who has potential, is a relative win in a difficult situation.

Bottom line? The Penguins got something they needed: a sharp young forward who can contribute now. The Jets also got something they needed: a promising young forward who, while having a longer development runway than the player they traded away, is lightyears better than no asset.

Let's look at the players themselves.

What the Penguins Get in McGroarty

"A winger for Crosby" was the eternal refrain for Penguins fans for a long time. With the rise of Jake Guentzel, it seemed like those days were over. Guentzel's departure made it appear as though those dark times were returning—but with the acquisition of McGroarty, that's no longer the case. Now this, of course, does not mean that McGroarty is locked in to play with Crosby. But he's a young, highly skilled forward.

So he's probably going to end up playing with Crosby.

Regardless of the line he plays on, there's a lot for Penguins fans to look forward to about McGroarty. At 6'1" and 200 pounds, McGroarty has size; more importantly, he knows how to use that size effectively. When discussing the trade, Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas called out his "ability, leadership, and competitiveness". McGroarty has all of those things in spades. In addition to being a Hobey Baker nominee, he also snagged spots on the All-Big Ten first team and the All-Big Ten tournament team during his time at Michigan.

One of the most important things to know about Rutger McGroarty is that he is a shark around the net. He's got stellar shooting ability, great instincts, and the ability to use his size to negate defensive play by his opponents, making space for himself instead. At his best, he's relentless, particularly on the forecheck, and his anticipation makes for excellent scoring opportunities.

A longstanding theory of mine is that to be successful next to Sidney Crosby, a player has to have a specific kind of complementary skill. Call it the Kunitz effect; it refers to guys who become more useful next to elite players because they know how to use their skill to elevate the opportunities those players create. We've seen that from McGroarty with guys like Frank Nazar and Gavin Brindley, teammates of his at the University of Michigan.

There's no reason to think he couldn't also do it with Crosby or Malkin.

The biggest concern about McGroarty's game, particularly leading up to his draft year, has been his skating. His skating mechanics are, to put it bluntly, not great, and his posture could do with some work as well. His speed and edge work suffer because of his mechanical issues, which can give him trouble when it comes to keeping up with speedier teammates. Fortunately, he's seen some improvement in that area; whether he improves more remains to be seen, though the amount is likely limited by the fact that he's probably done growing.

His strengths have become stronger to compensate, which is ideal when you're working to shape a player's game—you'd always prefer to bolster their strengths rather than focus on weaknesses—but skating mobility is a significant weakness in today's game. It's a good thing he's a vulture around the net.

What the Jets Get In Yager

Brayden Yager, a two-way center who has repeatedly showcased his scoring ability at the junior level, has the potential to be a good player. That being said, he was also a bit overrated by Penguins fans and pundits.

That's understandable; for a time, Yager was the only prospect of his caliber in the Penguins' system. Recent additions to that prospect pool made him more expendable, but he's still the same player who had 95 points in 57 games last season and was a WHL champion.

Yager is the kind of player who, on his best nights, frustrates opponents with difficult-to-stop shots and passes alike. He's a good skater and reads the ice well, knowing where he needs to be to be most effective and ensuring he gets there. He brings a combination of playmaking and scoring abilities, rather than leaning into one or the other, and he feasts on the power play. It's this last part that can be both a strength and a weakness for him.

A significant concern about Yager's game is whether he can drive play on his own. That's always something you want to see from a center, especially one who people want to project as a top or middle-six player. He's got the playmaking skills, he's got good forechecking abilities. But before we project who he is going to be as a player at the NHL level, it feels important that we see another WHL season from him—one where he is expected to push play himself, and in particular where he cannot lean on former Warriors teammate Denton Mateychuk (CBJ prospect), who will likely spend the upcoming season with the AHL's Cleveland Monsters.

While Yager will probably make a good impression at the Jets' training camp, he is unlikely to see any significant time in the NHL this season. That's for the best, as noted above. He'll also probably need some time in the AHL after his WHL career ends, before he's ready for full-time duty with the Jets. That's a perfectly reasonable development path and one that the Jets can allow him to take. The Penguins didn't have that luxury; they needed someone ready now, and they got him. At the end of the day, this was one of those rare pure hockey trades that benefits both sides.