Name: LeBrun: After only a month off, Jim Rutherford is ready to work in the NHL again
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LeBrun: After only a month off, Jim Rutherford is ready to work in the NHL again

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Feb 26, 2021It was only about a month ago that Jim Rutherford the hockey world.His resignation as GM of the on Jan. 27 blindsided everyone.His reasons for it remain his own.His desire to work again, however, is stronger than ever.“I still got the bug,’’ the 72-year-old Hockey Hall of Fame executive told The Athletic on Friday.“I can tell you that I feel good, I have a lot of energy, I love the game. I’ve watched as many games as I can every night to stay in the loop. I have an emotional connection to the Penguins for obvious reasons, but I still have the bug to be with a team and try to contribute and make it better.’’His batteries have been re-charged. The month since his surprise resignation has been a good one. He’s in a good place.“I’m vaccinated now, so I feel more comfortable with that,” Rutherford said.Having received both his COVID vaccinations is hugely important for Rutherford who at his age is in the high-risk group. Rutherford and his wife and 12-year-old son had been largely quarantined at home since last March.“Now I’m getting my family, especially our son, back into the more normal routine of life which makes us all feel good where he’s back with his hockey team and he’s going to be back into school and into classes,” Rutherford said. “So quite a few things have happened over the last month.’’The quarantine life had taken a toll on everyone at home. And Rutherford went 10 months without seeing his 45-year-old daughter, Andrea, which was hard.“It’s taken a toll on everybody everywhere,’’ Rutherford said. “But speaking for my family, because of me being high-risk, we really followed the guidelines and were basically quarantined the whole time. So it took a toll without question, but it wasn’t the reason I stepped down.’’Even a month later, however, he’s not interested in revealing why he stepped down, politely declining when asked.“I’ve been treated great by the Penguins, I just prefer to leave it at that,” Rutherford said. “I don’t have any regrets. I feel comfortable with what I did and I wish them all the best. I watch all their games and I’m cheering for them. I have a lot invested in this team.’’He obviously heard from after he stepped down.“It was very nice. A text and a phone call. I have a really good relationship with him,’’ Rutherford said.And he got a heartfelt message from .“That one really stood out,’’ Rutherford said. “Geno’s not a big communicator and he’s not outwardly affectionate, but he sent me a very touching email. That one hit home.’’You win two Stanley Cups together, there are going to be bonds for life.Rutherford, meanwhile, is happy that Ron Hextall took over for him as Penguins GM. After all, it’s the guy Rutherford touted to Penguins CEO David Morehouse as his replacement. On more than one occasion.“We’ve talked about this for the last couple of years, not knowing when I would not be with the Penguins, and for the last couple of years, I’ve recommended Ron Hextall,” Rutherford said.“He did a very good job in Philadelphia and basically built the foundation of the team that they have now. Of course, he didn’t build it all, Chuck Fletcher came in and made some good changes and strengthened what was there. But Ron did a really good job there.’’After Rutherford stepped down, Morehouse asked one last time.“David called me the one day and asked me again what I thought and I said ‘My opinion hasn’t changed.’ So I was very happy when he got the job.’’Hextall began his media availability the day he was announced as Penguins GM with a shoutout to Rutherford, reminding us of the personal connection between the families. His dad, Bryan Hextall Jr., was a teammate of Rutherford’s with the Penguins in the 1970s and a young Ron Hextall would hang around the dressing room.“He was my idol,’’ Hextall said of Rutherford. “He was really good to me as a kid. Gave me his mask.’’“I’ve known him since he was 5 or 6 years old,” said Rutherford. “He just sent me a picture a few days ago of him sitting on my knee when he was about 6 or 7 years old. It’s a great picture.’’So with the Penguins in good hands, Rutherford will look to turn the page. His contract with Pittsburgh expires in June. Here’s guessing teams who miss the playoffs in May will start calling for permission to talk to him.Rutherford made it clear he’s not making any calls himself.“I’ve done this long enough and I have a lot of friends in the game and a lot of respect for everybody and I’m not looking to take somebody’s job,” he said. “So I’m not going to be making phone calls and saying that I’m looking for a job that somebody already has.’’But when the time is right, and if teams reach out, he will listen. The transition to the more senior role of president of hockey pperations with a club might make sense at this stage of his career.“I could possibly go into that role, help a franchise and try to improve the structure of it,” said Rutherford. “And also help the general manager. That’s something that I’ve talked about really for the last five years, that I thought it was something that would be a good role for me at some point in my career.“And I’m probably at that point now. I’m not saying if the right general manager’s job opened up, that I wouldn’t do that anymore.’’There are no geographical limits, he will be open-minded, East or West, U.S. or Canada, the right fit is the right fit regardless of where it is.Or, he may retire.He’s at the perfect crossroads in his life: Work again if it makes sense but be at peace either way.“It’s a place where most people would like to get to in their life. You can work if you want, but you don’t have to,” said Rutherford. “I don’t have any more things to accomplish in the league, but I do think I have a lot to offer to a team in the right situation. Depending what they’re looking for.“So we’ll see if anything comes my way.’’Bank on it.(Photo: Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)

Feb 26, 2021It was only about a month ago that Jim Rutherford the hockey world.His resignation as GM of the on Jan. 27 blindsided everyone.His reasons for it remain his own.His desire to work again, however, is stronger than ever.“I still got the bug,’’ the 72-year-old Hockey Hall of Fame executive told The Athletic on Friday.“I can tell you that I feel good, I have a lot of energy, I love the game. I’ve watched as many games as I can every night to stay in the loop. I have an emotional connection to the Penguins for obvious reasons, but I still have the bug to be with a team and try to...

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Pierre LeBrun

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LeBrun: After only a month off, Jim Rutherford is ready to work in the NHL again

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