On the afternoon of January 27th, the stunning headline was everywhere: Jim Rutherford resigns. No one saw it coming, and now the Penguins are left to collect themselves and move forward. The team confirmed it was not health-related, so fans are left with nothing but questions.
Who’s Up Next?
The Penguins have named Patrik Allvin as interim GM. He’s certainly not new to the organization. Allvin has been with the Penguins for the past 15 years, serving as director of amateur scouting for the past three. He was promoted to Assistant GM in November.
What Can We Expect?
It would be foolish to think Allvin would follow through on the plans that GMJR had set out. In an interview with The Athletic four games into this season, Rutherford said there was a distinct possibility that a big move could be on the horizon if the team didn’t come together and perform soon. Don’t expect anything like that now. Whether interim coach or general manager, neither are generally granted carte blanche to affect the future of a franchise. It has already been confirmed that Allvin will be in constant contact with owner Mario Lemieux in regards to transactions moving forward.
Now What?
For better or worse, this is the team moving forward. Do not expect the blockbuster deal Rutherford had alluded to. On one hand, that’s great! The team chemistry was upended enough in the offseason. Having a set lineup will allow players to get used to one another and create more cohesion. Another shake-up on the roster could provide another setback. On the other hand, if the team as currently constructed never gels, I don’t see Allvin getting the go-ahead from management to initiate anything drastic.
What Does This Mean Moving Forward?
Who’s going to replace GMJR? CEO David Morehouse has stated that Allvin will be in the running when a new GM is announced in the offseason. Jason Botterill’s name is constantly tied to Pittsburgh, even though he just signed on with Ron Francis in Seattle. Former Canuck’s GM Mike Gillis is available and showed a forward-thinking approach. Chris McFarland, assistant GM in Colorado, has largely been credited with helping Joe Sakic turn things around in a hurry. Chris Drury has strong connections to USA Hockey and has helped speed up the Rangers rebuild. Regardless of what direction Penguins management goes, there will certainly be a lot of interest in the vacancy.
