The Penguins are shaking things up, and it starts with a name fans have been waiting to hear all season: Rutger McGroarty. Pittsburgh officially recalled their top prospect from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, along with winger Bokondji Imama, as the team looks to inject some fresh energy into the lineup. With Tristan Broz and Danton Heinen reassigned to the minors on Sunday, the roster room was already cleared-no extra moves needed.
Let’s start with McGroarty. This is the call-up Penguins fans have been anticipating since training camp.
The 2022 14th overall pick-originally selected by Winnipeg and acquired by Pittsburgh in the Brayden Yager trade-was pegged to make a splash in the top six from day one. That plan hit a wall when McGroarty failed his physical due to an upper-body injury and was sidelined indefinitely.
It wasn’t until mid-November that he was finally activated off season-opening injured reserve and sent to the Baby Pens for what was clearly a conditioning stint.
And in true top-prospect fashion, McGroarty didn’t just go through the motions in the AHL-he made a statement. He opened his season with a four-game goal streak and recorded points in all five games he played, posting a 4-3-7 line with a +3 rating. That’s the kind of production that doesn’t just justify a recall-it demands one.
This isn’t McGroarty’s first NHL rodeo. He made his debut late last season and got a real look alongside Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust on the top line.
In eight games, he logged a goal, two assists, and averaged 14:37 of ice time. More importantly, his underlying numbers told the story of a player who belonged-he controlled 58.1% of shot attempts at 5-on-5 and kept things even on the scoreboard, with a 3-3 goal share.
Now, with Justin Brazeau and Rickard Rakell both on injured reserve, the door is wide open for McGroarty to slide back into that top-line left wing role next to Crosby. That’s a big ask for a 21-year-old, but it’s also a golden opportunity.
Head coach Dan Muse has been leaning on veterans like Connor Dewar and Kevin Hayes to fill those minutes, but neither brings the offensive upside or dynamic ceiling that McGroarty does. If he clicks, this could be a turning point in the Pens’ season-and a launchpad for McGroarty’s NHL career.
As for Bokondji Imama, his recall is more about depth and grit. The 29-year-old enforcer is back in the mix after spending most of last season with the Penguins, where he carved out a niche with his physical play.
He suited up for 16 games, racking up 30 penalty minutes, 45 hits, and even chipped in a goal while averaging 5:40 of ice time. His season was cut short by biceps surgery in March, but the team liked what they saw enough to bring him back on a two-way deal in June.
Imama started this season back in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, where he’s been a steady presence in the lineup with three goals and an assist through 19 games. He’s got over 350 AHL games under his belt and brings a veteran presence to the locker room. While he’s likely to slot in as the 13th forward during this call-up, his return marks five straight seasons with at least one NHL appearance-a testament to his resilience and value as a physical, team-first player.
For Pittsburgh, these moves aren’t just about plugging holes-they’re about potential. McGroarty brings the kind of upside that can shift the dynamic of a forward group.
Imama brings the edge and experience that every team needs over the course of a long season. With the roster in flux and the top six still finding its rhythm, the Penguins are giving two very different players a shot to make an impact.
And with McGroarty, in particular, the runway is there. Now it’s time to see if he’s ready for takeoff.