Rutger McGroarty Finally Speaks Out About Leaving Jets, Landing with Penguins

All eyes were on Rutger McGroarty in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, as he made his first public comments about his requested move out of the Winnipeg Jets organization, and landing—and immediately signing—with the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

Rutger McGroarty is here and happy to be part of the Penguins organization.

McGroarty on signing with Pittsburgh: "I feel like everything's right here. The development path, the veteran guys that they have here, the organization they have here, and the town as well." pic.twitter.com/cD1kWfJwd3

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) August 28, 2024

When asked why he refused to sign with the Jets, McGroarty didn't say much, but his answers about what he loves about the Penguins' organization gave us all the hints we needed:

I feel like everything’s right here. The development path, the veteran guys that they have here, the organization that they have here... And just talking to (GM) Kyle (Dubas) and Jason (Spezza), I feel like they’re just two great hockey minds with a great development path for me.”

Notice that he twice used the term "development path." The Jets did not bring McGroarty into their roster to join them in the playoffs this past spring, and they also weren't ready to guarantee him a roster spot in the NHL this coming season. Safe to say, that is not the "development path" that he had in mind. 

McGroarty feels he's ready for the NHL, though he knows he'll have to work for it. 

"I feel like I’m going to get what I deserve, and I’m going to come ready to work at (training) camp,” he said. “I like where my game’s at right now. I’m excited to get to camp and hopefully leave a good impression on them.”

It certainly seems like the Penguins will give him every shot at earning a spot with the team this season, though nothing has been promised him, he insisted. 

But for the chance to play with Sidney Crosby, the man he calls “the best player in the world," he will be doing everything he can at camp to show them he belongs. 

McGroarty didn't let the day pass without sending some props Winnipeg's way, however. “I’ve got nothing but respect for those guys. They handled (the trade request) with a lot of class. And I wish them nothing but the best.” 

McGroarty finished his college career at Michigan this past year with 16 goals and 52 points in 36 games for the Wolverines.