Yes, it's only been six NHL games for Pittsburgh Penguins rookie forward Rutger McGroarty.
But through those six NHL games, something is becoming pretty clear, and it doesn't really feel like a stretch to say it:
This kid is the real deal. And he's only going to keep getting better.
After an impressive training camp that featured five points in six preseason games - and with three different forward injuries factoring in - McGroarty made the opening night NHL roster. He spent three games largely alongside Lars Eller - traded to the Washington Capitals in November - and Jesse Puljujarvi, whose contract was terminated by the Penguins in February.
In those three games, it was clear that McGroarty wasn't quite up to NHL speed. His skating and first strides needed a lot of work, his reads were slow, and the pace of play was a bit too much for him to handle. So, he was sent back to continue his development at the AHL level, and - even at that level - he had just one point in his first eight games.
Fast forward six months later, and McGroarty has eight goals and 18 points in his last 19 AHL games and has played three NHL games on a top line with Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust, registering a goal and three points in that time.
His skating looks miles better than it did in October, although there's still work to be done. His production - between the AHL and NHL the last couple of months - is beginning to line up with expectations.
Crosby's Hat Trick Powers Penguins 5-3 Win Over StarsThere is a certain NHL winger about to break Wayne Gretzky's goal record who is - rightfully - garnering a ton of attention across the league.
But those things aren't what makes him the real deal, a legitimate piece of the puzzle for the Penguins’ long-term future.
No. What makes him special is his hockey brain.
Nowadays, the term “hockey-IQ” is a bit overused. It's almost a requirement for players to think the game on a higher baseline level than what it used to be in order for players to make it in the NHL. The game is significantly faster, and more specialized training has raised the bar for the bare-minimum talent requirement.
But that's definitely not something that applies to McGroarty.
