In an astonishing move, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford resigned Wednesday, citing personal reasons.
“There has always been so much support from everyone involved in the Penguins, both the hockey staff and the business staff, and of course from a special group of players led by Sidney Crosby,” Rutherford said in a statement. a statement. “The fans here have been great for me and my family. I know it’s a little unusual for this to happen during a season, but I felt it was the right time to move away.”
Patrik Allvin, who was recently promoted to assistant general manager of the Penguins, will serve as interim GM as the team begins an immediate search for Rutherford’s successor. According to the team, Allvin will consult with Mario Lemieux, the team’s Hall of Fame owner, for interim information and advice.
Rutherford, 71, has been the Penguins’ general manager since the 2014-15 season. The Penguins made the playoffs in each of its six seasons, winning the Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017, and Rutherford was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019. Prior to joining the Penguins, Rutherford had a 20-game streak. for years as president and general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes / Hartford Whalers franchise from 1994 to 2015 and won a Stanley Cup in Carolina in 2006.
“Absolutely shocked,” a rival general manager for ESPN said in a text message. “I didn’t see that coming.”
Rutherford, who had a 13-year career as a goalkeeper in the NHL, was known as a dealer and dealer during his time with the Penguins, constantly trying to reorganize the cast around Crosby and Evgeni Malkin – especially in the last two seasons, in time trying to design another championship race with an aging core. Two years ago, he shipped Phil Kessel to Arizona and last year sent Patric Hornqvist to Florida.
In a statement, Penguins President and CEO David Morehouse said Rutherford “was an amazing representative of the Pittsburgh penguins.”
“He will always have a special place in the history of our team, his legacy,” Moorehouse said. “He will always be part of the Penguins.”
Allvin, 46, a native of Falun, Sweden, is in his 15th year with Penguins hockey staff. He started as a scout in 2006 and made his way until he was promoted to assistant general manager in November.