F Rutger McGroarty (2022, 14th, WPG, traded to PIT)

[Don'tcry4mejanhrdina]

Being the most well respected punching bag in the league is not a way to make a living…

Hey, you leave Kelly Buchberger out of this!

 

[SomeDude]

There are reasons to criticize Rutger’s game, Lord knows I’ve been pointing them out since he got traded to the Pens, but not being able to fight is by far the dumbest.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

So his points don't count either? Because they are "over"?

He was supposed to be NHL ready. He wasn't.

He was supposed to be a gritty power forward: just found out he isn't.

That's a dropping stock.

Impressive amount of wrong in one post.

His numbers are pretty decent in the AHL. 28 points in 46 games for the age of the average rookie out of the CHL is pretty solid. He’s 21st in U21 PPG in the AHL, which essentially means he’s like the most NHL ready scorer on the average AHL team (and he’s first on the Pens).

I don’t think anyone ever said he was 100% a lock and certainty to play a full season and do well in the NHL, but his NHL case was at least there and he earned his spot with a good preseason. Nothing wrong with sending him down for more seasoning.

And worth noting that his SH% is about 5% points low. If he was shooting about what you’d expect, he’d be about 13th. He’s doing pretty well. Pittsburgh has been trying to win this year. Yeah, if he played for like Anaheim you’d put up with 24 points in 57 games and learning on the job. But he’s not. He could’ve played in either league.

I also don’t know how losing a fight makes you a player who has no grit or isn’t a power forward. What a bizarre claim.

 

[Leafshater67]

Fights literally don’t count for anything except 5 PIM. They do not matter. They do not count for anything on the scoreboard. The clock isn’t even running! Goals and points actually do matter.

I’d say that’s true for 90% of cases but there are times with dudes like Mike Komisarek where a humiliating beating hurts their confidence tremendously. I wouldn’t say Rutger is a dude who thinks he’s tough though.

I played junior with a guy who was super physical and tough. He got flattened once and was never the same too but that dude thought he was Georges Laraque basically at that point.

 

[Jacob]

13 points in his last 10 games. But he also lost a fight so I guess it’s a wash.

 

[WickedWrister]

After a pretty rough start, McGroarty looks to be playing some of his best hockey of late as @Jacob notes above, 13 pts in his last 10 and near PPG since the calendar flipped to 2025. I've been impressed with his vision and puck moving ability for a "power forward". I think the game is slowing down for him a bit.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Fighting and making the NHL immediately were the only things that mattered with McGroarty. Now that he has neither he might as well pack it up.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Showing what he showed at Michigan the past few years

 

[WickedWrister]

Pretty nasty cut middle move by Koivunen on the PP to set up McGroarty

 

[Tasty Biscuits]

Another 1+1 tonight. After a slow start with 3 points in 12 games, he's been pretty consistent with 34 in his last 42.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Another 1+1 tonight. After a slow start with 3 points in 12 games, he's been pretty consistent with 34 in his last 42.

Did you hear he lost a fight though a few weeks ago? He’s never gonna recover from that.

 

[PettersonHughes]

Any word on whether the Pens will bring him up? Or let him marinate in WBS?
Hope he can realize some of his blue-chip potential next season in Pittsburgh.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Been very productive during the 2nd half for Wilkes Barre Scranton

 

[Mr Nogatco]

What kind of role do most expect for him next year with the Pens?

 

[Jacob]

What kind of role do most expect for him next year with the Pens?

I'm not certain he makes the team out of camp. We have a lot of forwards, and some guys that will have to clear waivers to be sent down (Ponomarev), and rumors that Hallander is coming back over (also would have to clear waivers).

But we also have a bunch of UFAs in 2026 so it seems like a safe bet he starts in the A but finishes in the NHL when those guys are moved.

I'm thinking the same for Koivunen as well.

 

[WickedWrister]