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It goes without saying: These two players have earned roster spots on the Penguins

From a full season in the AHL, to a few season-ending games in the NHL, it should be easy to understand that Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen have earned roster spots in Pittsburgh next season.
ByTyler Miller|
Apr 3, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rutger McGroarty (2) is congratulated by right wing Rickard Rakell (67) and right wing Ville Koivunen (41) after scoring his first NHL goal to tie the game against the St. Louis Blues during the third period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Apr 3, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rutger McGroarty (2) is congratulated by right wing Rickard Rakell (67) and right wing Ville Koivunen (41) after scoring his first NHL goal to tie the game against the St. Louis Blues during the third period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Not long ago it was pretty much determined that the Penguins were not going to make the playoffs, and Wilkes-Barre clinched their playoff spot, and General Manager Kyle Dubas faced a tough choice.

Do you keep the kids in Wilkes-Barre and let them gear up for the playoffs, or do you call the kids up and let them get a bit of NHL experience going into next year and then send them back to Wilkes-Barre for their playoffs?

Well, Dubas chose the latter and it was one of the best choices that he has made this season. Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen have looked like they have belonged on the Penguins roster since day one. They always know where to be, have really good puck awareness, and both can get on the scoresheet.

The kids setting up McGroarty's first NHL goal proved that they belong

Flashback to April 3, the Penguins are on the road playing the St. Louis Blues and are trailing 4-3 late with Tristan Jarry on the bench and trying to find the tying goal in the final two minutes of the game and have a 6-on-5 advantage.

Mike Sullivan has McGroarty and Koivunen on the ice with Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, and Erik Karlsson. Koivunen sets up McGroarty as he moves in and scores his first NHL goal and ties the game at 4.

That goal proved that the kids belong on the Penguins roster for the future and that Dubas made the right move calling them up.

The kids should stay in the top 6 and not be moved to the bottom 6 whatsoever

Every Penguins fan knows that Mike Sullivan likes to juggle his lines every game and move players up and down the lineup to try to find sparks.

But when it comes to the kids, he needs to keep them in the top 6 playing with Crosby and Malkin and not try to move them up and down the lineup. They are playmakers and like to get on the scoresheet and moving them to the bottom six does not help them at all.

Before McGroarty's injury a few games ago, it became apparent that he is better suited playing with Malkin and Koivunen is better suited playing with Crosby.

Come next season, the kids deserve to have full-time roster spots and to be playing in the top 6 full-time.

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