Penguins’ Rising Star Rutger McGroarty Ignites AHL with Unstoppable Goal-Scoring Streak—Is an NHL Call-Up Imminent?

Few young talents have surged back into the spotlight quite like Rutger McGroarty. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ top prospect is lighting up the ice with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, turning heads with a goal-scoring spree that’s impossible to ignore. After a frustrating stint on the sidelines thanks to an upper-body injury that kept him out of camp and nearly half the season, McGroarty’s return has been nothing short of electric—netting three goals in just as many AHL contests. There’s grit and sheer determination behind each tally, signaling this 21-year-old forward’s relentless drive not just to play, but to dominate. Watching him weave through defenders and capitalize on breakaways, it’s clear the Penguins have a gem who’s rapidly shaking off the rust and carving his path to the NHL. If he keeps this pace, the big leagues might see him sooner than folks expected. LEARN MORE

Pittsburgh Penguins‘ top prospect Rutger McGroarty can’t stop scoring goals for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins.

In Wednesday’s tilt against the Hershey Bears – AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals – McGroarty registered his third goal in as many AHL games this season, continuing his seamless, dominant transition back to game action.

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And none of McGroarty’s three goals have been cheap ones, either.

The 21-year-old forward – acquired in the summer of 2024 from the Winnipeg Jets – missed all of training camp and the first month and a half of the regular season due to an upper-body injury. He made his return to the AHL lineup on Nov. 15 against the Springfield Thunderbirds, powering his way to the net on his first shift of the second period for his first of the season.

Pittsburgh Penguins‘ top forward prospects.&nbsp;;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas” class=”link “> Rutger McGroarty Shines In Return As WBS Penguins Complete Weekend Sweep Saturday marked the return for one of the <a href=”https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins”>Pittsburgh Penguins</a>’ top forward prospects.&nbsp;

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Then, in Saturday’s 1-0 WBS win over the Providence Bruins, McGroarty scored the lone goal shorthanded – going end-to-end, weaving around a few defenders, and earning himself a breakway opportunity that he put home.

And that brings us to Wednesday’s game. In this one, McGroarty gained the offensive zone, got to a loose puck above the right circle courtesy of a little help from Philip Tomasino, and sniped one past Bears’ goaltender Garin Bjorklund to put his team up, 2-0.

The Penguins and GM/POHO Kyle Dubas have reiterated that because McGroarty is an important piece for their future, they need to do what’s right for his development and follow a return-to-play plan for him. He had a planned scratch for last Friday’s game and played the next day against Providence.

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But, if McGroarty continues to dominate at the AHL level and show he is ready – he has four points in three games – it’s possible that the the NHL club may see him sooner than initially anticipated.

Buffalo Sabres, the Pittsburgh Penguins made a few roster moves that signify they’re surely but slowly getting healthier.&nbsp;;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas” class=”link “> Penguins Activate Two Players From IR, Option Murashov To AHL Ahead of their Thanksgiving Eve tilt against the <a href=”https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/”>Buffalo Sabres</a>, the <a href=”https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins”>Pittsburgh Penguins</a> made a few roster moves that signify they’re surely but slowly getting healthier.&nbsp;

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