It's a tough break for the Penguins as promising rookie forward Rutger McGroarty will be sidelined for the remainder of the season. The news, confirmed today by head coach Mike Sullivan, comes just two days after McGroarty suffered an injury on Tuesday, April 8th, while blocking a shot from Chicago Blackhawks forward Teuvo Teravainen with his left skate.
With 51 seconds left in the second period on Tuesday, McGroarty blocked a shot by Teravainen on the penalty kill and hobbled to the bench, not able to put weight on his left leg. He went straight to Pittsburgh's locker room, not returning for the remainder of the game due to a lower-body injury. After the game that night, it was reported that he had been seen leaving the arena in a boot.
Earlier this morning, the Penguins recalled Emil Bemstrom, Vasily Ponomarev, and Valtteri Puustinen from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL) on an emergency basis.
McGroarty was absent from the team's practice session today, and unfortunately, he wasn't the only one missing. Fellow forwards Blake Lizotte, Noel Acciari, and Matt Nieto were also off the ice and, like McGroarty, have already been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Additionally, Tommy Novak has also been ruled out.
Having only recently been called up to the NHL, McGroarty's injury is undoubtedly a setback. However, there's a possibility he could see game action again this season. If the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the AHL affiliate, make a significant run in the Calder Cup Playoffs, McGroarty could potentially rejoin their team. This would offer him a chance to participate in high-stakes games and continue his development this year.
Mike Sullivan on Rutger McGroarty: "It's disappointing because he was playing real well, and we thought it was a great experience for him to get NHL games. We're hopeful that Rutger's injury will come around. We're hopeful that Wilkes-Barre will play long enough that he has an opportunity to help them continue to have success down there. That's an important experience for him as well."
Even with the Pittsburgh Penguins' playoff hopes already dashed before his injury on Tuesday, this setback still marks a disappointing end to McGroarty's recent NHL call-up. However, his season could continue with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. If the AHL affiliate makes a strong push in the Calder Cup Playoffs, McGroarty could rejoin their roster, offering him a valuable chance to gain postseason experience and further his development within the organization this year.
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