A point per game player in the AHL with 26 points in 25 games so far in 2025-26, McGroarty has yet to find solid footing at the NHL level. He has been called up a few times during the season, registering five points and a minus two over 20 games with the Penguins. Unfortunately McGroarty has not received a meaningful uptick in ice time yet, averaging almost 12 minutes per game with the Penguins. It is also important to note the Penguins have been surprisingly competitive in 2025-26 and that has a lot to do with McGroarty’s deployment. Dynasty managers do not need to worry, McGroarty is still on track to become a top six winger within two years.

The 21-year-old capped off a solid rookie-pro season by getting called up to the big club for five games. He was tried out with Sidney Crosby and at times Evgeni Malkin, picking up three points and nine shots on goal, as well as 12 Hits. He didn’t see a lot of PP time, but his possession metrics were very good and he wasn’t sheltered (though it would be tough to shelter him on the Crosby line). He looked like an NHL player but he may need a couple more months in the AHL to find his offensive game. In the AHL he had 39 points in 60 games, but ended the year with 20 in his last 24. It may come down to him or Ville Koivunen in training camp. –

The Pittsburgh Penguins recalled McGroarty from their AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired Rutger McGroarty from the Winnipeg Jets on August 22, 2024, for 2023 first-round (14th overall) pick Brayden Yager. The Penguins wasted no time getting their new top prospect under contract, signing McGroarty to a three-year entry-level contract the same day.

Winnipeg Jets General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff told reporters in Vegas at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft that 2022 first-round pick (14th overall) McGroarty will not attend the Winnipeg Jets development camp in early July but wouldn’t get into any more details on where things stand regarding trade speculation surrounding one of the team’s top prospects.