Penguins' Rutger McGroarty: Shutdown for NHL season
Rotowire
McGroarty (lower body) will not return for the Penguins this season, but he could still be an option during the Calder Cup Playoffs for AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
McGroarty was starting to find some chemistry with Penguins captain Sidney Crosby on the top line, recording one goal, two assists and nine shots in five games. At this point, the 21-year-old McGroarty seems like a near-lock to make the Opening Night roster ahead of the 2025-26 campaign and could find himself playing in that coveted first-line role with Crosby -- a spot that naturally offers fantasy upside.
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Penguins' Rutger McGroarty: Exits after blocked shot
Rotowire
McGroarty sustained a lower-body injury in Tuesday's game versus the Blackhawks.
McGroarty blocked a shot late in the second period, and the Penguins aren't taking any chances with one of their top prospects. It's unclear if he'll be available for the Penguins' last road game of the season in New Jersey on Friday.
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Penguins' Rutger McGroarty: First points in NHL career
Rotowire
McGroarty recorded a goal, an assist, three shots on target, two hits, one blocked shot and a plus-1 rating in Thursday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Blues.
Despite the overtime loss, this is a game McGroarty will probably not forget since he cracked the scoresheet in an NHL contest for the first time in his career. The goal was even more significant since it allowed the Penguins to force overtime, as McGroarty scored with only 25 seconds left in the game, and he also registered a career high in ice time (18:28). The rookie forward could continue to see a steady role in the lineup in the final days of the regular season because the Penguins are close to being eliminated from playoff contention.
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Penguins' Rutger McGroarty: Sent down to minors
Rotowire
McGroarty was reassigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday.
McGroarty's demotion shouldn't come as a surprise considering he didn't play versus Montreal on Monday and was set to be scratched again Wednesday. General manager Kyle Dubas told reporters at the start of the season that he didn't want the 20-year-old winger sitting in the press box, so this move appears designed to get him some minutes. The Baby Pens play Friday and Saturday in a home-and-home with Lehigh Valley, which could see McGraoarty remain in the minors through at least Pittsburgh's next two contests, though it could certainly be longer.
