Penguins GM Jim Rutherford hangs onto first-round draft pick at trade deadline

| Back | Text Size:

https://naviga.triblive.com/sports/penguins-gm-jim-rutherford-hangs-onto-first-round-draft-pick-at-trade-deadline/

Penguins GM Jim Rutherford hangs onto first-round draft pick at trade deadline

Jonathan Bombulie | Monday, February 25, 2019 7:00 p.m.

Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

General manager Jim Rutherford held onto his first-round draft pick on Monday.

Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford has a win-now mandate with his star players creeping into their 30s, but even that has its limits.

In the build-up to Monday’s NHL trade deadline, Rutherford said he was trying as hard as he could to hold onto his first-round pick in June’s draft.

He accomplished that goal, resisting the temptation to move it for a rental player for a couple of reasons.

“This is a year that we’re on the bubble to get (into the playoffs),” Rutherford said. “I did not want to risk that, but also, it’s a very good draft. It was important this year to keep that pick.”

The Penguins haven’t made a first-round pick since taking Kasperi Kapanen 22nd overall in 2014.

Follow the Pittsburgh Penguins all season long.

Email Newsletters