Penguins Star prospect speaks up about requesting trade out of Winnipeg
Photo credit: Clutch Points
Who can really tell what went sour for top NHL prospect Rutger McGroarty and the Winnipeg Jets?
With many interviews no one in the Jets organization have really opened up on what happened and McGroarty himself gave very little when asked by reporters why he wanted out of Winnipeg during his introductory news conference with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday.
«My agents talked to them, and then I talked to them,» McGroarty told reporters. «I wanted to be upfront and honest with them, and just tell them that I wasn't going to be signing with them,» McGroarty said. «I got nothing but respect for those guys, they handled it with a lot of class, and I wish them nothing but the best.»
Must read on Jets Latest
When McGroarty informed the Jets that he had no intention of signing with them, general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff began shopping 2022's No. 14 overall pick. The Pittsburgh Penguins just happened to be offering up their own 14th overall pick (this one from 2023) in Brayden Yager, who was ultimately the deciding piece that gave the Jets a good return for their high potential prospect.
McGroarty, who scored 16 goals and 52 points in 36 game for the University of Michigan last season, signed his entry-level contract shortly after being traded to Pittsburgh.
Now that the 20-year-old forward is in town, he pointed out a few things about Pittsburgh that he didn't get during his time in Winnipeg.
«I feel like everything's right here - the development path, the veteran guys that they have, the organization that they have and the town as well,» McGroarty said. «I went to a Pirates game on Monday, like, the sports town atmosphere is unbelievable. Then just talking to Kyle and (assistant GM Jason Spezza), I feel like they're just two incredible hockey minds with a great development path for me.»
| POLL | ||
30 AOUT | 128 ANSWERS Penguins Star prospect speaks up about requesting trade out of Winnipeg Will Pens' top prospect Rutger McGroarty play the full 2024-25 season with the big club? | ||
| YES | 26 | 20.3 % |
| NO | 102 | 79.7 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
Latest 10 stories
