"Punch them in the head" - Bruce Boudreau enraged by Rutger McGroarty forcing trade out of Winnipeg Jets

Former NHL coach Bruce Boudreau expressed frustration over top draft pick Rutger McGroarty forcing a trade out of Winnipeg due to the team's unwillingness to guarantee him an NHL roster spot.

McGroarty, selected 14th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2022 NHL entry draft, was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday after Winnipeg refused to promise the 20-year-old forward a spot on the NHL club this season.

In an interview with the TSN, Boudreau shared his irritation with the trend of young prospects dictating terms before starting their NHL careers.

"It drives me nuts, you want to go out there and punch him in the head to be honest, because listen how can we like I mean you went through it, I went through it, all the older guys have gone through it, you got to come and make the team, you can't be given the spot right away."

Boudreau's analysis starts at 10:29 of the below video:

The veteran coach argued that nothing should be handed to rookies, no matter how highly touted they are coming into the league.

"I was reading that about McGroarty today that they wouldn't guarantee, Winipeg wouldn't guarantee him a spot at the start of the season and that's one of the reasons he wanted to get traded, it's it just drives me crazy, I just think you have to earn your earn your spot."

"You have to go in there and earn a spot rather than come in and have the spot already there."

Boudreau acknowledged prospects wanting assurance of making the NHL right away but still feels they need to prove themselves before being guaranteed a roster spot, especially on a top line.

McGroarty has spent the past two seasons playing college hockey at the University of Michigan, tallying an impressive 91 points (34 goals, 57 assists).

Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas on acquiring Rutger McGroarty

The Pittsburgh Penguins have added Rutger McGroarty to their team by trading forward Brayden Yager with the Winnipeg Jets.

Regarding the trade, the Penguins GM Kyle Dubas said:

“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. After much consideration, we decided that the opportunity to add Rutger McGroarty was ultimately in the best interest of the Penguins.” (Via NHL.com)

GM Kyle Dubas stated that Rutger has the ability, leadership, and competitiveness the Penguins need for both short-term and long-term goals.