Despite yet another strong year in the standings—the team’s fifth consecutive 100-point campaign, if we prorate the shortened 2012-13 season—the ownership of the Pittsburgh Penguins entered the summer in a mood for big changes.
General manager Ray Shero was fired in mid-May; head coach Dan Bylsma followed him out the door a few weeks later. Veteran executive Jim Rutherford was brought aboard to overhaul the team’s roster with exactly one goal in mind: winning the Stanley Cup in short order.
For Rutherford, success or failure will be measured by postseason accomplishment. The Penguins have been a regular-season powerhouse for the last half-decade, but they haven’t won even a single game in the conference final in that span; twice they have been bounced in the first round.
The question is whether the changes Rutherford has authored this summer represent enough improvement for the team to put together a deep playoff run.
In net, Marc-Andre Fleury remains the presumptive No. 1. In Thomas Greiss, the Pens have added a more proven backup than Jeff Zatkoff, but they haven&rsq ...
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Article written by Jonathan Willis
Has Jim Rutherford Done Enough to Improve the Pittsburgh Penguins?
July 21st, 2014 by Jonathan Willis Leave a reply »
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