Penguins Update: Rutherford Proving His Worth

Two seasons ago Ray Shero won the NHL’s General Manager of the Year Award. Back then the Penguins’ mantra was “In Ray We Trust.” A confidence well-earned…until chronic playoff failures, salary-cap issues, and an uninspired season at the helm cost him his job.

Could Shero’s successor win the award this year? Given the fact that the Pens may fall short of last season’s point total (109), Jim Rutherford probably won’t merit much consideration.

That’s unfortunate.

When ownership rescued JR from the old-folks home with a mandate to add grit and character, some doubted the 65-year-old’s ability to handle the task. Count me among the skeptics.

Rutherford has risen to the challenge—in spades. He’s taken the proverbial bull by the horns and reshaped the team through dramatic trades and shrewd free-agent signings. To say nothing of hiring under-the-radar coach Mike Johnston and hungry, enthusiastic assistants Gary Agnew and Rick Tocchet.

Here’s a quick review of JR’s work.

TRADES: Rutherford was on the job all of three weeks when he swung a blockbuster. Seeking to improve chemistry and depth, he peddled gifted but prickly sniper James Neal to Nashville for forwards Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling.

Hornqvist is a relentless competitor who thrives in the dirty areas. He’s matched the departed Neal point for point. Spaling’s been versatile and dependable.

After sending second-tier prospect Philip Samuelsson to Arizona in December for Rob Klinkhammer, JR started the New Year with a bang. On January 2 he parlayed Klinkhammer and a first-round pick into scoring winger David Perron. The feisty Quebec native’s fit snuggly beside Sidney Crosby while piling up nine goals in 17 games.

Most recently, Rutherford added size and aggression by acquiring agitator Maxim Lapierre from St. Louis for peacenik Marcel Goc.

IN	POS	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	CAP HIT (Millions)
Hornqvist	RW	42	15	18	33	11	$4.25
Spaling	LW	55	8	13	21	5	$2.2
Perron	RW	17	9	4	13	-1	$3.8
Lapierre	C	8	0	1	1	-3	$1.1
OUT	POS	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	CAP HIT (Millions)
Neal	LW	49	19	13	32	18	$5.0
Klinkhammer*	LW	36	3	2	5	0	$0.625
Goc	C	9	0	1	1	0	$1.2
Samuelsson	D	4	0	0	0	-3	$0.63
* Stats with Arizona and Edmonton

FREE AGENTS: JR barely had time to set up shop before free agency hit. Faced with decisions on a slew of UFAs, including key defensemen Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik and productive Jussi Jokinen, he bit the bullet and allowed them to walk.

Then Rutherford rolled up his sleeves. In rapid succession he signed gritty forwards Blake Comeau and Steve Downie, veteran defender Christian Ehrhoff, and backup goalie Thomas Greiss for a combined $6.7 million. Or roughly $1 million more than the Capitals will pay Orpik each season over five years.

Talk about getting bang for your buck.

IN	POS	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	CAP HIT (Millions)
Comeau	RW	34	12	10	22	7	$0.7
Downie	LW	49	9	13	22	6	$1.0
Ehrhoff	D	43	3	10	13	9	$4.0
		GP	MINS	GA	SH	GAA
Greiss	G	13	771	37	0	2.88	$1.0
OUT	POS	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	CAP HIT (Millions)
Jokinen	C	53	4	24	28	-1	$4.0
Niskanen	D	55	2	15	17	3	$5.575
Stempniak	RW	45	6	8	14	5	$0.9
Orpik	D	55	0	13	13	3	$5.5
Vitale	C	45	3	3	6	-6	$1.12
Gibbons	C	21	0	5	5	2	$0.75
Engelland	D	49	0	3	3	-13	$2.92
Glass	LW	40	0	1	1	-17	$1.45

THE BOTTOM LINE: I’m not predicting a Stanley Cup this spring. The Pens still have some glaring weaknesses. A rugged forward with size and skill would help. So would a physical defenseman. Depth remains an issue.

Yet nearly every move Rutherford made has reaped dividends. He’s transformed the black and gold from a stale, stagnant bunch into one with an upside.

It’s hard to imagine anyone doing a better job.