Rumor: Botched Blockbuster Trade Triggered Penguins' GM To Resign
Pittsburgh Penguins General Manager Jim Rutherford resigned yesterday citing personal reasons. At age 71, many believed his resignation was health related. However, Rutherford has confirmed that this is not the case. Information has come to light indicating the true reason for his resignation.
Rutherford is the architect of the 2016 and 2017 Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup Victories. His career and efforts should be respected as he has played an integral role for a significant period of time.
Rutherford was committed to rebuilding on the fly and not tearing the team down and starting from scratch. This included trading Kris Letang who has been a fan favourite after winning 3 Stanley Cups with the franchise. Letang is still an effective player, but he's beginning to slow down at age 33. He's in year 7 of an 8 year deal with a cap hit of $7.25 million. Trading Letang would likely result with the Penguins receiving young prospects and / or high draft picks and provide cap space for upcoming RFA's.
The ownership group had a different perspective that Rutherford could not overcome. They believe Letang should retire as a Penguin if he so wishes and would not allow this trade to happen. Both Rutherford and the owners have a legitimate perspective, but Rutherford felt handcuffed in his efforts to continue the team's success. Hence, he resigned.
I am told by multiple sources this morning Jim Rutherford was working on a Kris Letang trade to one of the teams he can be traded to.
— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) January 28, 2021
Ownership did not want him doing this.
It forced an untenable situation.
So here we are.
Jim Rutherford says decision is not health-related. But won't elaborate on why he stepped down.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) January 27, 2021
``I don’t think it serves anybody well. I’ve been treated first-class here and I really appreciate and respect what they’ve done for me. That’s the way I want to leave the Penguins.’’
Which doesn’t mean he’s necessarily retiring. His contract with the Penguins expires at the end of June.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) January 27, 2021
``I will just take it easy for a while until the summer time and at that point I can decide if I want to keep working or if I want to just retire,’’ Rutherford said.
In media call, PIT President David Morehouse said Jim Rutherford's resignation was not health-related. "The discussion was last night with just Jim and I. He had his mind made up." They talked again this morning and it hadn't changed.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 27, 2021
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