Kyle Dubas Confirms How the Penguins Will Manage Rutger McGroarty's Return Once He is Healthy
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This evening, Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas addressed how the organization plans to use Rutger McGroarty once he returns from injury.
Early in the season, the Penguins have remained mostly healthy but have been without top prospect Rutger McGroarty who suffered an upper-body injury before training camp concluded.
At the time of his injury, McGroarty was expected to be a lock as part of the Penguins opening night NHL lineup.
However, with the emergence of 2025 first-round pick Ben Kindel, McGroarty's spot in the NHL is in doubt according to GM Kyle Dubas.
Penguins Expected to Send Down Rutger McGroarty Once Healthy
During a recent press conference, Dubas addressed the plan for McGroarty's season and development once he is healthy.
So he's here skating. I would say inside the next month, he'll return, and that will come in the AHL with Wilkes.
As for why the AHL is the right spot it comes down to lack of conditioning and reps early in the season.
He missed training camp and all of preseason, so we'll get him back fully up and running. And when he's able to return to full practice and cleared, then we'll have him go to Wilkes and just continue the progress he made last year.
These quotes from Dubas seem to indicate that the plan is to keep McGroarty in the AHL the entire season and make him prove he belongs in the NHL.
This will continue a frustrating path for McGroarty who after he was acquired from the Winnipeg Jets was expected to be an immediate impact NHL player.
Hopefully, McGroarty gets back on track in his return to the AHL and finds the upside he possessed before being signed by the Penguins.
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