Penguins’ Notebook: McGroarty Practices, Lines Stay Intact

Just one week after being placed on injured reserve with a concussion, it looks like forward Rutger McGroarty might soon be back in the fold for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

On Jan. 7, McGroarty left the ice during practice after colliding with a teammate and did not return. He was diagnosed with a concussion and an indefinite return timetable – as is the case with concussions – so being on the ice is surely a good sign.

Advertisement

And an even better sign is that he was able to stick around for team practice wearing a white non-contact jersey. Even though it’s a positive step in his recovery process, Penguins’ head coach Dan Muse emphasized that they’re still just taking things day by day.

“It’s just another step,” Muse said. “Non-contact there today, great to have him on the ice. Obviously, with a concussion, too, we always want to take our time. But, that is the next step, and so it was good to have him out there. No change in status.”

McGroarty, 21, was injured through all of training camp and in the first month and a half of regular season action. After a successful five-game AHL stint, he was recalled to the NHL level, where he has notched two goals and three points in 16 games.

At the AHL level this season, he recorded four goals and seven points in those five games. Upon his return, the Penguins will have a decision to make in terms of whether or not they want to keep him on the NHL roster or send him back to the AHL, where he is likely to get more consistent playing time.

Recent Moves Show Penguins Are Prioritizing Winning The recent acquisition of Egor Chinakhov and the signing of forward Blake Lizotte by the Pittsburgh Penguins shows that the team is prioritizing winning hockey games this season

– On that note, the Penguins made a small roster move on Wednesday, sending forward Tristan Broz back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) and clearing up a roster spot.

Advertisement

It’s worth noting that defenseman Caleb…