Penguins Update: Rutherford Named GM of the Year

The National Hockey League confirmed last night what Pittsburgh Penguins fans already knew. Jim Rutherford, who did a masterful job of transforming a shopworn black-and-gold team into Stanley Cup champions, was named General Manager of the Year in a vote of his peers at the league’s Annual Awards banquet in Las Vegas.

With typical modesty, the grandfatherly 67-year-old native of Beeton, Ontario was quick to deflect praise.

“I’m kind of the guy that steers the ship, but I’m just one part of it,” Rutherford said.

It marked the third time in his lengthy front-office career that JR earned top-executive honors. He was named Executive of the Year by The Hockey News in 2002 and 2006, and The Sporting News (hockey) Executive of the Year in ’06.

He became the second Pens GM to win the NHL’s version of the award. Ray Shero was honored in 2012-13.

Among the other awards, Sidney Crosby finished second to Patrick Kane in the Hart Trophy voting. The Blackhawks’ star became the first American-born player to earn the award. Kane also garnered the Art Ross Trophy (point-scoring title) and Ted Lindsay Award (NHLPA MVP) to collect three high-profile awards.

Crosby, recent winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP), performed a similar awards hat trick (Hart/Ross/Lindsay) in 2006-07 and 2013-14. A feat duplicated by teammate Evgeni Malkin in 2011-12.

Mike Sullivan finished a surprisingly distant fifth to Washington’s Barry Trotz in the voting for the Jack Adams Award (coach of the year). Pascal Dupuis was passed over for the Masterton Trophy (perseverance & dedication) in favor of former Pens great Jaromir Jagr.

Other major award winners included the Kings’ Drew Doughty (Norris—best defenseman), Chicago’s Artemi Panarin (Calder—top rookie) and Washington’s Braden Holtby (Vezina—best goalie). Kings center Anze Kopitar took home two awards—the Selke (best defensive forward) and the Lady Byng (sportsmanship & gentlemanly play).

Caps sniper Alex Ovechkin snared the Maurice Richard Trophy (most goals) for the fourth consecutive season and sixth time in his career.

Anaheim goalie John Gibson shared the Jennings Trophy (fewest goals allowed by a team) with Frederik Andersen. It was the first time in NHL history that a Pittsburgh native has won a major award.

Crosby and Letang Named to Postseason All-Star Team

Crosby was named a First-Team NHL All-Star. It marked the fourth time the Pens’ captain had earned a spot on the top team.

Following a sluggish start, No, 87 paced the NHL in regular-season scoring (66 points) after December 12.

Sid was joined by defenseman Kris Letang, who was named a Second-Team NHL All-Star. The Montreal native also earned Second-Team honors in 2012-13.

“Tanger” finished third among NHL defensemen in scoring with 67 points.

Las Vegas Awarded NHL Franchise

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced last night that Las Vegas was awarded an expansion franchise, swelling the league’s ranks to 31 teams. The new club—yet to be named—will begin play in 2017-18 and compete in the Pacific Division.

An expansion draft will be held on June 20, 2017, to help stock the new team. Las Vegas also will participate in the 2017 Entry Draft lottery, assuring it of a top-six pick.

The league deferred action on an application for an expansion team from representatives of Quebec City. The Quebec Nordiques competed in the World Hockey Association for seven seasons (1972-79) and the NHL for 16 more (1979-95) before relocating to Colorado.