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Pittsburgh Penguins re-assign two forwards to the AHL
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Rutger McGroarty and Avery Hayes got reassigned by the Pittsburgh Penguins, and it feels like a cold, necessary numbers play.
Friday’s team post made it official, both forwards are headed back to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
It’s the kind of move that looks harsh, even when it’s logical.
Hayes, 23, is undrafted and signed by Pittsburgh, and he just lived every kid’s dream in one night.
On Thursday in Buffalo, he scored 2-0-2 in his NHL debut, then watched the door swing right back.
Before the call-up, Hayes was driving the bus in the AHL with 13-10-23 in 31 games.
McGroarty, 21, was a 2022 first-round pick by Winnipeg, and Pittsburgh is still trying to thread his development needle.
He’s already logged 2-3-5 in 20 NHL games this season, and he’s been physical enough to stick in a bottom-six look.
Rutger McGroarty makes the Pittsburgh Penguins juggle again
Fans are going to hate this, because it looks like the kids are the first ones to pay.
But the timing matters, the Olympic roster freeze window is here, and teams get stingy with waivers and paper moves.
McGroarty can slide without waivers, and Hayes is waiver-exempt too, so they’re the easiest levers to pull.
McGroarty’s AHL line is loud again, 4-8-12 in nine games, so at least the reps won’t be empty.
The Penguins also enter the break at 29-15-12, and they clearly don’t want to lose bodies for nothing.
If Pittsburgh needs a spark when games resume, Hayes’ quick-release confidence should be the first call.
And if McGroarty’s forecheck pops for another week in WBS, the next recall will come with real staying power.
Also read on HockeyUnplugged :
Avery Hayes scored twice in his debut, but what came before makes it even wilder
Avery Hayes scored twice in his debut, but what came before makes it even wilder
Previously on HockeyUnplugged
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 6|126 ANSWERS Pittsburgh Penguins re-assign two forwards to the AHL Should the Pittsburgh Penguins keep Rutger McGroarty up after the break? | ||
| Yes | 89 | 70.6 % |
| No | 37 | 29.4 % |
| List of polls | ||