When it became known that forward Rutger McGroarty was not seeing eye-to-eye with the Winnipeg Jets regarding his long-term development, it made him one of the most interesting trade options in the NHL this offseason.
The No. 14 overall pick in the 2022 draft, McGroarty has been one of the best players at the NCAA level and has emerged as a bona fide prospect with a real chance to be an NHL regular. Perhaps even as soon as this season.
But his unwillingness to sign with the Jets put Winnipeg in a tough spot, and it finally resulted in a trade Thursday when they sent him to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a prospect swap.