Penguins GM Jim Rutherford resigns due to 'personal reasons' originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Jim Rutherford, the Pittsburgh Penguins general manager who was instrumental in helping construct their back-to-back Stanley Cup championship squads, resigned on Wednesday due to "personal reasons."
Assistant GM Patrik Allvin, who's been with the organization since 2006, will take over on an interim basis.
“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,” Rutherford said in a statement. “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.”
Though certainly an unusual time to step away from the Penguins, his 2016 and 2017 titles helped cement his place in the Hall of Fame, where he was elected as a builder in 2019.
While the Penguins search for a new GM, the Caps next play their archrivals on Feb. 14 after losing both previous encounters earlier this season.
