Pittsburgh Penguins Activate Players
The Pittsburgh Penguins have made a significant move by activating both forward Rutger McGroarty and goaltender Joel Blomqvist from the injured reserve list as they begin their season. Following their activation, the Penguins have sent McGroarty and Blomqvist to play for their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Player Performance Overview
Last season, McGroarty made his NHL debut, appearing in eight games with the Penguins and scoring one goal alongside two assists for a total of three points. He was noted for his physical play, recording 12 hits and finishing with a neutral plus/minus rating. During the 2024-25 AHL season, he had a productive stint, totaling 14 goals and 25 assists, which brought his points tally to 39 while also accumulating 37 penalty minutes.
On the other hand, Blomqvist also had his share of experience in his first NHL season, where he compiled a record of 4 wins and 9 losses, with a goals-against average of 3.81 and a save percentage of .885 over 15 games with Pittsburgh. His performance improved on the AHL stage, boasting an 8-7-3 record along with a .914 save percentage and a 2.84 goals-against average in 18 games.
Future Prospects
Both McGroarty and Blomqvist are regarded as important figures within the Penguins’ future plans, making their assignments to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton a positive development. Fans will be eager to see how they contribute to the team as the new season unfolds.
