"Had a difficult decision to make": Penguins GM Kyle Dubas addresses McGroarty-Yager trade swap 

Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas has opened up on the Rutger McGroarty for Brayden Yager trade. The Penguins pulled off the intriguing deal on Thursday with the Winnipeg Jets.

McGroarty was selected 14th overall by Winnipeg in the 2022 NHL draft but last season he informed the Jets he had no plans to sign with the team. He is one of the top prospects in the NHL and was highly sought after.

Winnipeg ended up trading him to Pittsburgh for Yager who was selected 14th overall in last year's draft. It is a rare top prospect for top prospect trade, but Dubas believes it is a deal he had to make.

“We had a difficult decision to make with this trade because we hold Brayden Yager in such a high regard as a person and prospect," Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas said in a statement.

"After much consideration, we decided that the opportunity to add Rutger McGroarty was ultimately in the best interest of the Penguins. He possesses the combination of ability, leadership and competitiveness that the Penguins need to achieve our goals in the short and long run. We look forward to welcoming Rutger and his family to the city of Pittsburgh and the Penguins.”

Following the trade, McGroarty signed a three-year entry-level deal with the Penguins and will make his NHL debut this season. Last year at the University of Michigan, he recorded 16 goals and 36 assists for 52 points and helped lead Team USA to a world junior gold.

On the other hand, Brayden Yager recorded 35 goals and 60 assists for 95 points in 57 games for Moose Jaw in the WHL.

Jets GM excited after McGroarty-Yager swap

Winnipeg was in a tough spot after Rutger McGroarty asked for a trade and told the team he would not sign.

With every NHL team knowing McGroarty wanted out, Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff pulled off a fair trade by acquiring Yager who he is excited about.

"We are very excited to add Brayden to the organization," Cheveldayoff said. "I think he's a very talented player, a very skilled position at center where he can certainly make other players better around him. That's kind of what we've watched and viewed throughout his draft year and obviously in subsequent scouting situations after that.

"Obviously, you never know what comes up, and just because you don't end up drafting a player, you don’t stop keeping tabs on him. So, fortunately for us, we were able to come to an agreement with Pittsburgh here."

Although unlikely, it remains to be seen if Yager will play for the Jets in the 2024-25 NHL season.