The Winnipeg Jets and Pittsburgh Penguins are swapping top prospects in a blockbuster trade.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Thursday that the Jets are trading 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.
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 has not yet signed his entry-level contract.
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.
In a surprising move, the New York Jets have traded defenseman Rutger McGroarty to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for forward Brayden Yager. This trade comes as a bit of a shock to Jets fans, as McGroarty has been a key player on the team’s blue line for the past few seasons.
McGroarty, 26, was drafted by the Jets in the second round of the 2014 NHL Draft and has since become a reliable defenseman for the team. Known for his physical play and shot-blocking abilities, McGroarty has been a fan favorite in New York.
On the other hand, Yager, 23, was drafted by the Penguins in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft and has shown promise as a young forward. With his speed and scoring touch, Yager has the potential to make an impact on the Jets’ offense.
This trade could benefit both teams, as the Penguins are in need of defensive help while the Jets could use some additional scoring depth. It will be interesting to see how both players adjust to their new teams and if they can make a positive impact moving forward.
Overall, this trade is a reminder that in the world of professional sports, anything can happen. Fans will have to wait and see how this trade plays out for both teams in the long run.