What happened: The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-assigned forward Rutger McGroarty to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League. The transaction sends the young winger back to the minor-league affiliate after his recent stint on the NHL roster.

Why it matters: The move clears an NHL roster spot as Pittsburgh manages forward depth early in the 2026-27 regular season. It mirrors recent organizational roster adjustments, following the move where the Penguins demoted Ryan Johnson to the AHL in late October.

What to watch: McGroarty is expected to slot directly into the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton top six for upcoming AHL competition. Pittsburgh will monitor his performance as future NHL recall opportunities develop.