This is going to be a long one, and I don’t wanna hear any **** talking from trolls. The day was May 13th 2014. The pens blew a 3-1 lead to the NYR to lose in the ECSF. It was a sad day as a pens fan to see a team crumble and choke like that. We knew changes would be made. Pens then hired GMJR to replace Shero in search of Grtting another cup out of this core. The 2015 season brought growing pains, and many people doubted the penguins saying their chances at a cup were over. After another tough loss to the NYR in the ECQF and a mediocre regular season just squeezing into the playoffs, some criticism was deserved. Many thought the pens were done and Sid/Geno would only retire with one cup, which was viewed as a disappointment considering the players that they are. Won at a young age and never able to get back there again. Then Rutherford struck lightning. The Kessel deal, bonino deal, hagalin deal, Daley deal, Schultz deal, etc all propelled this mediocre team into the greatest franchise of the salary cap era. What Rutherford was able to accomplish for Pittsburgh was outstanding. He is a hockey legend. Sure you can criticize some of his recent moves, every GM makes mistakes, but for a period of time, there was no GM or team better than the Pittsburgh penguins. I got to witness back to back Stanley cups thanks to Rutherfords wheeling and dealing moves, some of the greatest memories of my life. I’ll never forget driving 6hours from Canada to Pittsburgh BOTH years to watch the boys in black and yellow carry the cup along 5th avenue TWICE. Thank you GMJR for all that you’ve done for this franchise. You have truly cemented the penguins as being the greatest team in the salary cap era. At a time where the Crosby era seemed over, you came and rescued this team. Let all the haters make fun of some recent deals, but everyone who chirps Rutherford is a fan of a team that doesn’t even come close to Pittsburgh in terms of recent success. People love to hate on the best. Makes sense.
I almost got emotional reading this lol. LETS GO PENS!!!! Thx GMJR for all you've done for PIT. It's been a great 5 years with u and I'm glad that your staying as a penguin legend.
JR was a fantastic GM. One of the best. That Kessel trade was good for both teams, which is rare. But is there a specific reason you posted this? Did he get fired or resigned or something?
JR was a fantastic GM. One of the best. That Kessel trade was good for both teams, which is rare. But is there a specific reason you posted this? Did he get fired or resigned or something?
Just saw the news. Very sad news for the pens. He was a great gm.
JR was a fantastic GM. One of the best. That Kessel trade was good for both teams, which is rare. But is there a specific reason you posted this? Did he get fired or resigned or something?
McDavid, Connor
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