This article examines Jim Rutherford‘s three worst signings as Penguins General Manager. While he contributed to success, his later signings hurt the team. Jim Rutherford’s tenure as the Pittsburgh Penguins GM was nothing short of remarkable. Under his watch, the Penguins won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. Rutherford’s aggressive and strategic approach to team building was instrumental in these successes. While his track record is filled with numerous brilliant moves, even the best GMs make moves where the results are less than favourable. This article analyzes the three worst signings made by Jim Rutherford during his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Rutherford’s Worst Signings as Penguins General Manager
#3. Conor Sheary Re-signing
Conor Sheary captured incredible chemistry with Sidney Crosby during his early run with the Penguins. His performances in the 2016 and 2017 seasons aided the organization in their back-back cup success. Re-signing Sheary was done to retain a player who had shown significant promise during a successful period for the team. On July 30, 2017, Sheary was re-signed to a three-year, $9 million deal. While Sheary had high hopes going forward, he would fail to meet expectations.
Impact
Sheary’s performance did not live up to expectations following his extension. He only managed to score 18 goals and 30 points in 79 games during the 2017-2018 season. His .38 points per game was a noticeable drop from his previous output of .87 points per game. His inconsistency and inability to maintain a role alongside Crosby contributed to the Penguins’ offensive struggles.
Signing Analysis
The $3 million AAV Sheary signed for quickly became seen as an overpayment. He unfortunately failed to meet expectations. Additionally, young upstart Jake Guentzel worked his way up to earning the spot on Crosby’s left wing. The Penguins plethora of depth at the time with forwards like Bryan Rust, Patric Hornqvist and Phil Kessel forced GM Jim Rutherford’s hand, pushing Sheary out of the top six. Sheary was eventually moved in year two of his three year contract to the Buffalo Sabres. Coincidentally, he was moved alongside the next pick in this article.
#2. Matt Hunwick Signing
Defenceman Matt Hunwick was signed to a three-year, $6.75 million contract on July 1, 2017. Following back-to-back Cup victories, Hunwick was signed in an attempt to bolster the team’s defensive depth. With pivotal players such as defenceman Trevor Daley leaving the team following their cup wins, Hunwick had high expectations. Similarly to Sheary, Hunwick failed to provide the support needed for a team going for a third straight Stanley Cup.
Impact
Hunwick’s tenure with the Penguins was disappointing. He struggled to find his footing in the lineup. He quickly became a regular healthy scratch candidate. In his only season with the team, Hunwick scored just 10 points in 42 games. He was seen as a liability defensively, and incapable of replacing the contributions of players like Daley. As such, his performance did not meet the expectations set by his contract.
Signing Analysis
A $2.25 million AAV for Hunwick was seen as an overpay for a defenceman not contributing effectively. His struggles on the ice meant his cap hit had to be moved off a contending team. He was traded to the Buffalo Sabres, packaged with Conor Sheary for a fourth-round pick at the 2019 draft. This trade was interesting as Jim Rutherford rectified two contracts that had become burdens for the team at minimal cost.
#1. Jack Johnson Signing
The signing of Jack Johnson to a five-year, $16.25 million deal on July 1, 2018, stands as the most controversial and criticized move of Rutherford’s tenure. Signing Johnson and acquiring Ryan Reaves in a short amount of time were seen as the death of GM Jim Rutherford’s ethos he had previously followed to find success for the Penguins. Previously, speed and tenacity were valued. Young players like Rust and Justin Schultz were given chances to prove themselves. Following the 2018 loss to the Washington Capitals, Rutherford began looking for bigger, more physical players. This switch in thinking would not pay off for Rutherford in regards to the Johnson contract.
Impact
Johnson’s tenure with the Penguins was marked by extremely poor performance. He was heavily criticized for his play throughout his time with the team. Johnson’s defensive lapses and lack of mobility were glaring issues that negatively impacted the team’s overall defensive play. Despite being a physical presence, Johnson’s inability to contribute positively in key areas led to frequent healthy scratches in his second season with the team. Johnson failed to find the offensive game he had early in his career while being exposed defensively on the other end of the ice.
Signing Analysis
The $3.25 million AAV for Johnson quickly became a significant cap burden. The term and amount were seen as excessive for a player whose best years were likely behind him. This signing of GM Jim Rutherford’s was seen as a desperate one, following a disappointing end to the Penguins excellent playoff run. Johnson’s contract limited the Penguins’ ability to make other necessary moves. He was eventually bought out, with his cap penalty still affecting the Penguins until the 2026 off-season.
The Worst of the Worst
Jim Rutherford’s tenure as Penguins GM brought Stanley Cup championships and numerous successful transactions. While his overall track record is outstanding, a few signings did not pan out as expected. The re-signing of Sheary, alongside the signings of Hunwick and Johnson, serve to remind fans that even the best GMs falter when trying to maintain a competitive NHL team. Despite these missteps, Jim Rutherford’s legacy with the Penguins as GM remains overwhelmingly positive.
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