Brad Lambert Post-game The Pittsburgh Penguins and recently-acquired forward Rutger McGroarty have agreed to terms on an entry-level contract. McGroarty, to whom the Jets dealt to the Steel City for fellow prospect Brayden Yager, made it abundantly clear this summer that he had no desire to sign in Winnipeg. Whether or not that dissonance was inspired from outside sources or if it truly was a lack of interest in playing in the AHL, the truth may never come out. It has been reported that McGroarty had no interest in playing with the Moose, while fellow Michigan teammates immediately turned pro as early as late last season. With the Jets in a playoff crunch, McGroarty was not brought on board. Youngster Cole Perfetti sitting out near the end of the season and in the playoffs certainly wouldn’t have worked in McGroarty’s favour. With most assuming the Jets would ship McGroarty away at the Draft, the annual selection process came and went with no deal. McGroarty held strong to his word and did not sign his entry-level contract with the Jets for the second-straight summer. Finally, with the Jets and Penguins in agreement on the one-for-one trade, McGroarty agreed to sign with Pittsburgh as a part of the deal. Officially, he signed a three-year deal carrying an $850K AAV, to go alongside a $95K signing bonus. And after announcing he will return to Michigan this fall, McGroarty will now turn pro with the promise that he will see NHL action this season. Good riddance.
