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Penguins GM Jim Rutherford Resigns From Job for Personal Reasons

News came out of left field on Wednesday that GM of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Jim Rutherford has resigned for personal reasons.

According to a report from TSN’s Frank Seravalli and now officially confirmed by the organization, Pittsburgh Penguins GM Jim Rutherford has resigned from his position as the team’s general manager for personal reasons. Patrik Allvin, the Penguins’ assistant general manager, has been promoted to interim GM, and the search for a new GM will begin immediately.

Related: Rutherford Says Penguins Still Plan to Add “A Couple of Impact Players”

As per a statement released by Rutherford on the Penguins official NHL website, he says:

“It has been a great honor to serve as general manager of the Penguins, and to hang two more Stanley Cup banners at PPG Paints Arena. I have so many people to thank, beginning with the owners, Ron Burkle and Mario Lemieux, and team president David Morehouse. There always has been so much support from everyone involved with the Penguins, both on the hockey and business staffs, and, of course, from a special group of players led by Sidney Crosby. The fans here have been tremendous to me and my family. I know it’s a little unusual to have this happen during a season, but just felt this was the right time to step away.”

Our Best Wishes to Rutherford

It is not clear if this is job, health or otherwise related, but the news comes out of left field and we can only hope that Rutherford is alright. As TSN’s Bob McKenzie points out, “Rutherford is in final year of his contract in PIT. Timing of this decision/announcement is what is so stunning.” Ken Campbell of The Hockey News is reporting, “I have been told by someone close to the Pittsburgh Penguins that GM Jim Rutherford’s resignation is not for health reasons.”

Before joining the Penguins, Rutherford spent twenty years as general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers franchise. He won the Stanley Cup in Carolina in 2006, and was always active on the trade market to try and improve his team.

What’s Next for the Penguins?

The Penguins will immediately begin a broad search for a new GM, reports Pierre LeBrun. He adds they’ll look both at internal and external possibilities. There is no firm time line but he doesn’t think the Penguins want this to to drag too long.

Penguins Cup Sidney Crosby
Penguins Cup Sidney Crosby

As for what the Penguins will do now will be up to Patrik Alvin, at least in the short term. It will be interesting to see if the Penguins continue to try and improve the club for this season or start to rebuild as there was speculation they might.

Next: Four Crazy Days in the Life of New Jets’ Player Pierre-Luc Dubois

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