Jim Rutherford Resigns as Penguins GM; Cited Personal Reasons

Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford announced his resignation Wednesday because of personal reasons. He'd served in the role since June 2014.

Assistant GM Patrik Allvin will handle the duties on an interim basis while the Penguins begin the search for a full-time replacement.

Rutherford, who helped construct the rosters that won the 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cup titles, released a statement about his departure:

"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."

The 71-year-old Ontario native played 13 years in the NHL as a goaltender, including three with the Penguins, but he earned enshrinement in the Hockey Hall of Fame as an executive.

He was hired by the Hartford Whalers as their new general manager in June 1994 and remained with the organization, which became the Carolina Hurricanes in 1997, until being hired by the Penguins. He built the Canes roster that won the franchise's first championship in 2006.

Rutherford went on to win the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award for the 2015-16 season with Pittsburgh after a series of trades to acquire Phil Kessel, Nick Bonino, Carl Hagelin and Justin Schultz that provided critical depth during the team's back-to-back title runs.

He was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2019.

"What I've learned the most in my life and my advice to people is don't let anyone tell you you can't do something. Because that was the story of my career," Rutherford said during his induction speech. "The more they told me I couldn't do things, the more it turned out that I did."

Meanwhile, Allvin inherits a Penguins squad that's tied for third in the East Division during the early stages of the coronavirus-shortened 2021 season with a 4-2-1 record.

"I'm excited for this new opportunity with the Penguins, but I would not be in this position were it not for Jim's faith in me over these past seven years," Allvin said. "I want to thank him and wish him the best. Moving forward, I want everyone to know—from our ownership to our fans—that I'm committed to doing the best job possible for the Penguins, building on our strong start to the season."

Pittsburgh returns to action Thursday night for its second straight road game against the New York Rangers. The Rangers took the first matchup 3-2 in overtime Tuesday.