Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford made a surprising admission to Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette when he said on Monday that the Penguins “don’t have any plans to buy guys out." It’s surprising because Rutherford had intimated earlier in the offseason that he had approval to proceed with buyouts if he saw fit, and because Rutherford had made a youth movement on defense a priority for this offseason. “I have full support from the ownership to do what’s ... Read More
For Penguins, failure starts at the top
The natives are restless. In the last three years, Penguins fans have seen their team go from the Eastern Conference Final in 2013, to a second-round loss to the Rangers 2014 and then a first-round loss after barely qualifying for the postseason this year. The blame game has run amok. From Mike Johnston’s facial expressions to the team’s recently hired medical staff to the allegedly cursed Consol Energy Center, no one has escaped the wrath of a fan base that expected nothing short of ... Read More
Mike Johnston deserving of another season behind Pens bench
Pittsburgh Penguins CEO and president David Morehouse told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Friday that head coach Mike Johnston, along with general manager Jim Rutherford and star centers Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, would be returning to the club for the 2015-16 season. Not only will they returning, Morehouse said that the Penguins’ upper management “never considered” replacing the team’s GM or head coach. In Johnston’s case, it will be a much-deserved second chance to establish himself ... Read More
Pascal Dupuis will not return to the Penguins this season
When Pittsburgh Penguins left-winger Pascal Dupuis was first diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs in November, the Penguins staff knew that it would be difficult for Dupuis to play again this season. He was required to miss at least six months from the time of diagnosis. That would have given him a return date of mid-May, which is late into the playoffs, but still possible for a return. Today, Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford announced that Dupuis will not be returning this ... Read More
Penguins are now Rutherford’s team
Make no mistake about it: these Penguins are Jim Rutherford’s team. The Penguins general manager continued to put his mark on his team, making a pair of deals before Monday's trade deadline, acquiring defensemen Ben Lovejoy and Ian Cole. As the Penguins roster in currently constituted, Rutherford has either signed or traded for 11 of the 24 players on the team, more than predecessors Ray Shero (9) and Craig Patrick (4). In addition to the lineup, the Rutherford has replaced the entire ... Read More
Penguins acquire LW David Perron from Edmonton
The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired left-winger David Perron from the Edmonton Oilers for forward Rob Klinkhammer and their first-round draft pick in the 2015 NHL entry draft. “It’s always hard leaving a place when you’re emotionally involved, no matter how tough the situation was [in Edmonton],” said Perron. “Once you look past that, there’s not many better opportunities to go to, and I’m really, really excited about that.” It will be a move from the proverbial outhouse to the penthouse ... Read More
What’s on the Penguins Christmas list?
When Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford and head coach Mike Johnston creep down the stairs to take a gander under Mario’s big tree this morning, what are they hoping Saint Nick has left them? Here’s a look at what the Penguins staff hopes they find in their stockings on Christmas morning. A TOP-SIX WINGER: The Penguins come into the holiday break with 49 points, which puts them atop the Metropolitan Division and the Eastern Conference. They lead the second-place New York Islanders by ... Read More
Pittsburgh Penguins’ Regime Change Will Give New Meaning To ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’
(Photo: Pittsburgh Penguins) As the #IceBucketChallenge summer rolls along, it reminds us that the Pittsburgh Penguins are about to experience a splash of frigid water to the face. Even though general manager Jim Rutherford and head coach Mike Johnston have been in place since June, the realities of the new regime probably haven't taken hold for most of the Penguins yet. That will change in a few weeks when training camp begins. For five years, the Penguins had the luxury of a consistent ... Read More
Penguins’ Brandon Sutter Should Look At New Contract As Challenge
The Pittsburgh Penguins essentially wrapped up their offseason Tuesday afternoon when they announced the signing of restricted free agent Brandon Sutter to a two-year, $6.6 million contract. Factoring in probable healthy scratches during the upcoming season, the Penguins have less than $500,000 left to spend under the salary cap, so this is the roster they will likely take into opening night against Anaheim on Oct. 9. General manager Jim Rutherford has said he'll reassess the team around ... Read More
Pittsburgh Penguins Sign Nick Spaling To Two-Year Deal, Avoiding Arbitration
Two down, one to go. The Pittsburgh Penguins entered this month with three restricted free agents to deal with: Simon Despres, Nick Spaling and Brandon Sutter. General manager Jim Rutherford agreed to contract terms with Despres two weeks ago, paying the defenseman $1.8 million over two years. That left Spaling and Sutter, with the former choosing to file for salary arbitration while the latter declined. Perhaps the threat of the arbitration process pushed things along regarding Spaling, ... Read More