Kyle Dubas Reportedly Considering Trade Involving Prospect Rutger McGroarty, Per Insider
Photo credit: Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff
An insider revealed that the Pittsburgh Penguins and Kyle Dubas could consider trading their top prospect Rutger McGroarty.
Since the season started, the Penguins have been one of the most active in the trade market. Dubas acquired Tomasino from the Nashville Predators, shipped Lars Eller to the Washington Capitals, and placed Puustinen on waivers yesterday.
No one seems off the table for Dubas as he does all he can to bring his team back to its former glory.
After all, the Penguins are currently last in the Metropolitan Division, with a 7-12-4 record.
Must read on Hockey Trade Rumours
Big changes seem necessary to turn this team around.
Dubas will need to target players who can have an impact on and off the ice to help the team win. Such a player can be found in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization: David Jiricek.
The 2022 6th overall pick is a 6-foot-4 defenseman currently playing with the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL.
He has two points in two games since being sent down to the AHL, after a six-game stint in the NHL.
According to Rob Rossi of the Athletic, Dubas likes Jiricek so much that he reportedly told the Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell that he could have any prospect he wanted in return for Jiricek, and that includes McGroarty:
"No Penguins prospect is off limits as part of the package, the sources said, including McGroarty. A Penguins source said Dubas hasn't soured on McGroarty. Rather, that source said, Dubas simply loves Jiř�ček, a right-shot defenseman."
McGroarty hasn't had a great start to the season. The 2022 14th overall pick has only three points in 13 AHL games this year.
To acquire him, the Penguins had to pay a hefty price: Brayden Yager. The 2023 14th overall pick currently has 30 points in 20 WHL games.
McGroarty hasn't made a great impression with the Penguins, and Dubas would likely need to send more than just McGroarty to land a stud like Jiricek.
Also, nothing says that the Penguins are the only team in the derby to get the defenseman. If Waddell receives a better offer, he might just refuse Dubas' offer.
Latest 10 stories
