The Olympic break has hit the NHL calendar, and for the Pittsburgh Penguins, that pause comes with a bit of roster reshuffling. On Thursday, the team announced it has reassigned forwards Avery Hayes and Rutger McGroarty to their AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton - a move that’s as much about development as it is about opportunity.
Let’s start with Hayes. The 23-year-old made quite the first impression in his NHL debut, notching two goals in Pittsburgh’s 5-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres.
That kind of debut doesn’t just happen - it’s the product of a player who’s been knocking on the door and finally got his shot. Hayes didn’t just show up; he made sure the league noticed.
Now, with the Olympic break giving teams a chance to recalibrate, the Penguins are sending Hayes back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. It’s a chance for him to keep the momentum rolling.
In 31 AHL games this season, Hayes has tallied 13 goals and 10 assists for 23 points - solid production that suggests his NHL debut wasn’t a fluke. If anything, it’s a sign that he’s trending in the right direction, and Pittsburgh will be watching closely to see how he continues to grow with more ice time and responsibility down in the minors.
As for McGroarty, the 2022 first-rounder has been splitting his time between the NHL and AHL this season. In 20 games with Pittsburgh, he’s chipped in with two goals and three assists.
It’s been a learning curve, as it often is for young forwards adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NHL. But the flashes are there - and so is the upside.
When he’s been in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, McGroarty has looked more like the player the Penguins envisioned when they drafted him. He’s put up four goals and eight assists in just nine games - a 12-point stretch that speaks to his offensive instincts and playmaking ability. The reassignment gives him a chance to keep sharpening those tools in a top-line role, rather than battling for minutes in Pittsburgh’s bottom six.
For both players, this move isn’t a demotion - it’s a strategic step. The Penguins are using the Olympic break to give two promising young forwards a chance to stay sharp, play big minutes, and continue their development in a competitive environment.
And when NHL play resumes, don’t be surprised if one - or both - get another call-up. Because if Hayes keeps scoring and McGroarty keeps creating, they won’t be in the AHL for long.