Penguins Forward Rutger McGroarty Out Indefinitely As Camp Opens

The Pittsburgh Penguins are opening training camp with bad news on star forward Rutger McGroarty.

Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas announced that McGroarty is out indefinitely due to an upper-body injury.

“It’s going to be a little bit more of an indefinite timeline,” Dubas said. “It’s something because of the player, his age and the potential that he has, we just have to be very patient with Rutger on that.”

McGroarty is the Penguins’ top prospect, but his timeline for return is uncertain. Pittsburgh acquired the 21-year-old winger in a one-for-one trade for Brayden Yager last offseason after McGroarty wouldn’t sign with the Winnipeg Jets.

McGroarty spent most of last season in the AHL, but he did appear in eight games, recording one goal and two assists. He was expected to compete for a top-six role with the Penguins in training camp, but the injury could impact those plans.

Along with McGroarty, veteran bottom-six forward Noel Acciari also is out with a core injury, but he’s not expected to be out as long-term.

“He was shut down a couple of weeks ago by the performance staff,” Dubas said. “The goal is to try to get him back up and running in time to hopefully get him in action very late in the exhibition season. You won’t see him out there in the short run.”

Acciari is entering the final year of his three-year, $6 million deal. He recorded five goals and seven assists for 12 points last season with Pittsburgh.

The Penguins open their 2025-26 NHL season on the road against the New York Rangers on Oct. 8.

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