The Penguins made a big swing today by acquiring top prospect Rutger McGroarty and signing him to a contract. The last part isn’t to be taken for granted, McGroarty had made it clear he wasn’t going to sign with the team that drafted him up in Winnipeg.
Examining why that relationship fell apart could be a key to understanding how the future could unfold. From the Winnipeg Free Press this past June:
According to sources, McGroarty believes he’s unlikely to crack Winnipeg’s roster immediately and would probably have to spend time in the American Hockey League honing his craft, maybe even a full season.