Ryan Wilson: Penguins and Jets exchange former #14 overall prospects Penguins and Jets exchange former #14 overall prospects

Holy random...popped into HB not knowing anything about this and certainly not expecting Yager to be shipped out or anything like this have gone down...

...now to read the blog

Finally a skilled player for grinder to root for

Inch taller, 36 pounds heavier and tracking to be a higher end NHLer....sure, why not?

I could be just blanking at the moment, and I'm sure someone here will be swift to jog my memory, if so....but I don't ever recall a swap of A prospects like this in Pens history. It will be something we always follow and check in on...how is Yager doing...how do he and McGroarty compare haha

Interesting detail I just noticed but Pat Brisson is Rutgers’ agent… same as Sid?

Interesting detail I just noticed but Pat Brisson is Rutgers’ agent… same as Sid?
- Brownsoldier

Confirmed.

Wonder wonder if this was a request from Sid, advocated by his agent.

Wondering where everyone is about this....then noticed in archives, as I was looking for that elite prospects top 100 link I posted in the last blog, or what i thought was last blog, that there was a newer blog posted about 1.5 hours ago and most of the regs from around here are/were in there discussing this trade....

Major thumbs up to Dubas on this one.

I think a really interesting an encouraging aspect of this is that Dubas may be more objective with the roster than we give him credit for (which is a good thing). I remember his excitement about announcing yager as the pick like it was yesterday and for him to be able to ignore his emotion/bias to upgrade the roster, even slightly, is awesome.

Inch taller, 36 pounds heavier and tracking to be a higher end NHLer....sure, why not?
- MattStrat

Right. Closer to playing in the NHL too. Seems like a nice deal for Dubas.

Since Mcgroaty is signed, does that mean he won’t return to NCAA?

Since Mcgroaty is signed, does that mean he won’t return to NCAA?
- Brownsoldier

Yes, anytime a player signs a pro contract, they are ineligible to play at the NCAA level.

I think being closer to the nhl is the big kicker

Yes, anytime a player signs a pro contract, they are ineligible to play at the NCAA level.
- SuperHenderson13

That’s what I thought but didn’t know if the NCAA change is student compensation made things fuzzier. But, looks like we have Sid’s new LW!!!

Don't know who the better player is going to be ,sound pretty equal ,but shocked Jets were able to get an equal prospect for a guy who refused to sign with them

Don't know who the better player is going to be ,sound pretty equal ,but shocked Jets were able to get an equal prospect for a guy who refused to sign with them
- hfc355

Cutter Gauthier #5 2022
Jamie Drysdale #6 2020
Is the closest comparison I can recall

Rutger is American and therefore inferior.

Also his (frank)ing name is Rutger McGroarty. That ain't a hockey name.

Rutger is American and therefore inferior.

Also his (frank)ing name is Rutger McGroarty. That ain't a hockey name.
- BINGO!

I love his name.


- Canadian

Don't know who the better player is going to be ,sound pretty equal ,but shocked Jets were able to get an equal prospect for a guy who refused to sign with them
- hfc355

I get what you're saying but I'm pretty sure they still had some leverage on him until 2026...he didnt HAVE to be traded now

Cutter Gauthier #5 2022
Jamie Drysdale #6 2020
Is the closest comparison I can recall
- Weisenheimer

Drysdale has a ton of talent but cannot stay healthy. I’d say flyers got took

Rutger is American and therefore inferior.

Also his (frank)ing name is Rutger McGroarty. That ain't a hockey name.
- BINGO!

Have to agree it’s more of a Lax name, but in here for it

Cutter Gauthier #5 2022
Jamie Drysdale #6 2020
Is the closest comparison I can recall
- Weisenheimer

Yes but Gauthier has much better upside. Drysdale has an NHL 3 yr history of injuries. Flyers got fleeced. This deal seems very equal of 2 guys yet to play in the NHL. Cant remember a trade like that. Interesting to see how it plays out very risky for Pens not so much for Jets as they had to trade him.

I really wanted to get McGroaty but I dont think I like this at all. I said it before, but McGroaty has a bit of a Guentzel style about him. He doesnt have any one skill that sets him apart but finds holes and is very productive. I worry about his skating a bit as he doesnt have legs to spare.

I feel like Yager is a more dynamic player with higher upside. I would have thought Winnipeg would need to sweeten the deal given their prospect wanted out. Maybe something there is something we don't know behind the scenes but this is fairly shocking.

I get what you're saying but I'm pretty sure they still had some leverage on him until 2026...he didnt HAVE to be traded now
- MattStrat

Not much as he had already committed to going back to college. 2 good young prospects whose careers will be closely compared now