Jim Rutherford Hired as Pens GM, Bylsma Fired (For Real)

In case you've been working or whatever the past few hours, the Penguins have hired Jim Rutherford (Formerly Carolina Hurricanes GM) as their General Manager.

Jason Botteril was also retained as Associate General Manager and Rutherford said that Botteril's input will be considered as well.

Tom Fitzgerald and Bill Guerin were named Assistant General Managers. Guerin's role would be close with the players to keep Rutherford in the loop.

Dan Bylsma was fired. All Assisstant Coaches are still employed but have the permission to talk to other teams if they choose to.

Rutherford's press conference had a few things that stood out to us.

• He's only going to be here 2-3 years and mentioned many times they have a few guys who are close to being NHL General Managers. Have to think Botteril or Guerin will be the next GM in 2016 or 2017.
• Whenever he looks for a new coach, he wants a coach who can adjust to the type of players that the Penguins have as well as adjust to the different teams and situations that cold come up. Seemed like the perfect thing to say after letting go a coach whose biggest flaws were that he couldn't adjust.
• The new coach needs to be in place by Free Agency but doesn't have to be before the draft.
• Basically said the 4th line was poop and would be looking to improve it. Also good news (No more Craig Adams?!?)
• Analytics would be used to give more of an opinion on the players but not to be making final decisions (Paging Jesse Marshall)
• He also said the Penguins need a few more vocal leaders in the locker room.

What we're going to take from this is that Rutherford has a plan and right now, it seems like a good plan. Sounds a lot like none of the UFA Forwards that the Penguins currently have will be returning and we are 100% okay with that.

Now that the Penguins have a GM, it's now time to get the ball rolling and see what happens next.

The coaching hire will probably make or break the decision.

As Mark Madden has said, if its someone like Jacques Martin, the writing is on the wall for Mike Babcock to come in next season. If it's John Stevens, then the Penguins are going for grit/character.

Let's see what happens next.

Go Pens.