Monday, February 24, 2025, 5:47PM |  50°
MENU
Advertisement
Jim Rutherford expects Matt Murray, left, and Marc-Andre Fleury to be healthy going into the playoffs.
1
MORE

Jim Rutherford: 'Two-goalie system works well' this time of year

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Jim Rutherford: 'Two-goalie system works well' this time of year

With seven regular season games to go, Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford feels it’s actually a pretty good time to have two goalies.

While earlier in the year it might have been a challenge to find enough playing time for Matt Murray and Marc-Andre Fleury, keeping both has allowed iron to sharpen iron and for each to get some added rest.

“This is a point and time in the season where the two-goalie system works well,” Rutherford said. “It was difficult at different times during the season, for the obvious reason that both guys wanted to play.

Advertisement

“When you look at where we were almost a year ago, starting the playoffs with our third goalie, as long as everything goes well here in the next two weeks, we will start the season with two healthy, rested goalies ready to play.”

The Vegas Golden Knights will draft their team on May 21.
Sean Gentille
NHL expansion draft: You'll see Penguins' protected list, after all

The month of March has proven interesting, as Fleury has been the better of the two since the March 1 trade deadline.

Who to start come playoff time will remain coach Mike Sullivan’s call, Rutherford said, but he does feel as though this stretch run will serve as an audition of sorts.

“We have a few games left here,” Rutherford said. “I would think it’s going to be important how these goalies play. It makes that decision easier for the coach to make.”

Advertisement

Now nearly a month removed from it all, Rutherford insisted he never seriously considering trading Fleury before the deadline.

“I wasn’t tempted at any time,” Rutherford said. “My position hasn’t changed from the start of training camp.”

Another eye-toward-the-playoffs story line with the Penguins could involve Daniel Sprong. Their forwards are banged up, and he’s been tearing up the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

The Penguins can’t do anything until Sprong’s Charlottetown team is done, and the Islanders went into Tuesday up, 2-0, in their first-round playoff series.

Flyers goaltender Steve Mason stops Conor Sheary during Sunday's 6-2 loss. (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)
Jason Mackey
Penguins get positive news on injury front for a change

That is one of the reasons Rutherford said it’s “too early to say” whether Sprong will join the Penguins as a reinforcement for the postseason, a possible infusion of offensive firepower.

This much, however, the GM does know: If Sprong had to have shoulder surgery, this year could not have possibly gone better. Sprong produced 32 goals and a plus-29 rating in 31 games.

“He got to stay here and work out with the big team, be around these guys and understand on a daily basis what it takes to be a good player,” Rutherford said. “When you’re in that room and you see what [Sidney Crosby] does before games, after games, during games, during practices, and you’re a young guy and you’re observing that, you can’t buy that kind of experience.

“Of course, with our trainers, he not only came out of here healthy but stronger and in better shape than if he went right back to junior. Then he capitalized on that. When he went back there, he was prepared. He went back, and he played his game. He has had a terrific season and should have a very good career ahead of him.”

Jason Mackey: jmackey@post-gazette.com and Twitter @JMackeyPG.

First Published: March 28, 2017, 9:38 p.m.

RELATED
David Morehouse became the team president in 2007 and added CEO to his title in 2010.
Sam Werner
Penguins president and CEO David Morehouse to receive Art Rooney Award for leadership
The Penguins have been without center Evgeni Malkin since he injured himself blocking a shot in Calgary two weeks ago.
Adam Bittner
The Penguins' shot-blocking strategy is risky business
Evgeni Malkin will likely miss his seventh consecutive game Wednesday against the Blackhawks.
Jason Mackey
Penguins remain optimistic Evgeni Malkin will return soon
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
President Donald Trump speaks at the Governors Working Session in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Feb. 21, 2025.
1
opinion
Bruce Ledewitz: The Supreme Court will step up and Trump will back down
Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden catches a pass against Ohio State during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.
2
sports
Which positions are strong and weak at NFL combine? And how will Steelers approach this draft?
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cory Trice Jr. (27) intercepts a pass during a failed two-point conversion by the Kansas City Chiefs at Acrisure Stadium on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in the North Shore. The Kansas City Chiefs won 29-10.
3
sports
Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 02.24.25
A clerk at the Venango County Sheriff’s Office reviews Rachel Powell’s application for a gun permit, in Franklin, Pa, Feb. 4, 2025. Powell is one of hundreds of prisoners granted amnesty for their role in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as President Donald Trump has sought to alter the record of that day, but her life, like her nation, is deeply changed.
4
news
Pardoned for Jan. 6, 'Pink Hat Lady' came home to a new reality in Western Pa.
Pirates first-round pick Konnor Griffin hits against the Twins at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida, on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025.
5
sports
Pirates top pick Konnor Griffin has raised eyebrows at spring training. Next step is learning to be a pro
Jim Rutherford expects Matt Murray, left, and Marc-Andre Fleury to be healthy going into the playoffs.  (Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press)
Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press
Advertisement
LATEST sports
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story