Oct 9, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rutger McGroarty (2) moves the puck against New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider (4) during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/04c4922c-3ac1-4fe5-b97f-110b417c4d8e.webp] Oct 9, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rutger McGroarty (2) moves the puck against New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider (4) during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images) There are several Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/] prospects making some noise at the AHL level this season. And one who figures to be a huge part of their future is hotter than just about everyone right now. Top prospect Rutger McGroarty has been turning some heads lately for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He has six goals and 14 points in his last 12 games, and he has been leading the way lately for a lethal Penguins' offense that has scored more goals (193) than any other AHL team this season. McGroarty has scored nine of his 12 goals since the turn of the calendar year, as a slow start made it seem like he wasn't adjusting well to professional hockey. He was optioned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton after three NHL games to begin the season, and he had just one assist in his first eight AHL games. However, the 20-year-old forward had the all-around process there all year - he was, simply, snakebitten for most of it. Now that the production is happening in droves, people are beginning to see the process translate into results. His production has married the substantial growth in his all-around game, as his hockey IQ, playmaking smarts, physicality, hard forechecking, and defensive awareness have been on display all season long. Since the Penguins acquired McGroarty from the Winnipeg Jets in an August trade that shipped out forward Brayden Yager [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/report-penguins-acquire-top-prospect-rutger-mcgroarty-from-jets] - who was Pittsburgh's best prospect at the time - he has been showing why he was such a coveted player when he wanted out of Winnipeg. A lot of McGroarty's skills will transfer well to the NHL level, and there is certainly top-six potential in his future. Penguins fans will keep a keen eye on the blossoming forward as Wilkes-Barre aims for a Calder Cup run this season as one of the AHL's best teams. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwquDfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!
