The Pittsburgh Penguins were one of the biggest surprises of the qualification round, ousted by the 12-seed Montreal Canadiens. Not only was it surprising because the Canadiens likely weren’t even going to make the playoffs had the season not been cut short, but the Penguins had fought through so much adversity to even get to that point. Head coach Mike Sullivan had guided his group through catastrophic injuries to almost all of the team’s top players while dealing with a horrendous performance from his expected starting goaltender.
Now that they’re out, GM Jim Rutherford didn’t hold back when discussing the offseason with reporters including Josh Yohe of The Athletic:
There is something wrong. Changes need to be made.
Rutherford went on to say that the team starts to “fizzle out” when things don’t go their way and that even though the coaching staff navigated the regular season well there is a pattern developing at the end of the year. The entire availability was an executive who is primed to make sweeping changes, though Rutherford did explain that he is still committed to the core—Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang especially.
The Hall of Fame GM has never been shy about pulling the trigger and making splashy headline-grabbing moves. Last summer after he felt his team needed a change Rutherford twice traded Phil Kessel, only for the first one to be blocked by the enigmatic winger. During the year he pushed his chips to the middle again and tried to give them a chance to win by acquiring Jason Zucker, only to see them go down before even reaching the regular playoffs.
This time, it sounds as though one of the big changes will come on defense. Though Jack Johnson has been pummeled in the media for his disastrous play during the short postseason, Rutherford pointed the finger directly at his partner instead. Again, from Yohe:
I know everybody picks on Jack and they have for a long time, but I think, in that pairing, Justin Schultz had a lot more to give.
Schultz happens to be an unrestricted free agent this summer while Johnson still has three years on his deal, but it now seems unlikely that the pair will be reunited in the future. The 30-year old Schultz had an outstanding season in 2016-17 when Letang was injured for much of the year and earned himself a three-year, $16.5MM extension. That deal started poorly and ended even worse, however, given the performances that followed. In 46 games this season, Schultz only recorded three goals and 12 points.
But letting Schultz walk away won’t be the only move Rutherford makes. He also once again mentioned how it will be difficult to keep both Matt Murray and Tristan Jarry, given they are both restricted free agents and the salary cap will not be increasing. Moving one of them could help in another area, but don’t be surprised if you see even more drastic and sweeping changes to the Penguins before the 2020-21 season begins.
He’s part of the problem. His job shouldn’t be safe.
I’m nowhere near a Penguins fan but if it were up to me I’d move both Letang and Murrary and try to supplement the defense from there. I’m not convinced they need to add a single forward or goalie.
Knowing GMJR, he’ll either make the Pens way better, or way worse. The flat cap will make things problematic for everyone, though. It’ll be interesting to see how many teams end up virtually giving away players, since it seems to always be a buyer’s market.
scorching hot take there
I mean – Bill Guerin literally stated that the reason they were looking to trade Zucker was because he had no heart. Johnson is terrible. Schultz is useless when he isn’t providing offence. Rutherford is the biggest part of the problem though.
Trade LeTurnover he blows
Obviously, Sid goes nowhere. Unless someone is willing to overpay for a name, Geno and Letang go nowhere.
Jimmy is right. As bad as Johnson was (bad), Schultz was much worse. I wouldn’t bring him back even at league minimum. Johnson might be moveable if you are willing to pay up to do it. Could just leave him as the #7 or 8 instead if that is too expensive.
Jake stays. Sheary goes. I like Conor, but only when he’s with Sid and with Jake already paired with Sid, the line is too small and too left handed with Sheary, so he’s gone, too. Simon will be back if they need someone not good enough to play with Sid to play with Sid.
Marleau went out with the quietest whimper ever. Never seen a guy gently slide the puck to the opposition more often than him. One of Jimmy’s few legitimately bad trades.
Zucker was a nice addition. Plays hard. Can pick a corner. He stays and plays with Geno or Sid.
Rust is an interesting case. He’s a really good player. Can play on any line. Play PK. PP if you let him. Has speed. Plays hard. Led the team in goals this past year. And yet…I might still look to trade him. He’s only signed for two more years, is looking at a decent raise when his deal is up and his trade value will never be higher.
Horny can’t be moved and I’ve accepted he’ll waste space on a bottom six line, but help out on the PP and in the playoffs.
Love Tanev. He is an impact role player. Not many of those. Bluger is also very good in his role. Zach Aston-Reese is stale. They need to move on from him. Either use Simon as LW on that line or move Tanev to LW and play Hornqvist on RW.
McCann needs work, but I love that he plays with his hair on fire. Bjugstad is a useless hump. Moving his deal would be amazing.
Dumoulin is one of the most underrated players in the league. A rock. A smart rock that skates well.
Petterson is fine. Nothing flashy. Wish his cap hit was a bit lower, but he’s fine.
John Marino is a future star. Unreal how good this kid is for a sixth round pick.
Finally, the goalies. Keep Jarry. Find an Anton Khudobin type backup. Trade Murray.
If need be, it might be worth it take a lesser return for Murray if someone will take Johnson or Bjugstad with him in a package deal.
And I love Sully, but…if Gerard Gallant wanted the job…I’d move on from him right now. No Gallant and I keep Sully, but have Laviolette’s number on speed dial during the season, if I were I Rutherford.
Let’s go Pens.
I think their decision on the #15 pick will be interesting. They either keep and send 2021 Minnesota or send the #15 this year. If they keep the pick it will be flipped. I don’t believe JR is ready to give up on this team because Mario isn’t. As long as Sid, Geno and Letang are here they will have this win now mentality.
I think they have to keep this pick. And unless they think there is a blue chipper available at #15…Vasilevski was a #19, Barzal was a #16 (ours from the Perron deal actually), so it can happen…
I agree. Trade the pick if they can find a younger defenseman (Brady Skjei type deal).
Or, maybe trade back. Move #15 for (just making up slots without looking who picks where) #25 and #35 or something.
If the goalie prospect, Askarov, is available at #15, I’d grab him, though. Goalies have been so devalued in the draft that when one has a first round grade, you are likely getting a future star.
Rodrigues, would be another to add to that list , I am not a Pittsburgh fan by no means at all. during training camp in 2019 one kid I was actually impressed by was Nathan Legare on Right Wing, he made a good showing and had great season in QJMHL , thou he may go to AHL when the league starts again , would like to see him get a good look,
I agree. The one thing I meant to mention in my essay above was Legare and Poulin. If they have to do the half season in Wilkes Barre thing the Pens like to do, so be it, but…
At some point next season, I’d like to see a Poulin – McCann – Legare third line.
Pens need youth.